S'pore media editorials watched

S'pore media editorials watched

SINGAPORE (AFP): Singapore newspapers have been warned against
publishing "rash" editorials on the domestic policies of
neighboring countries, the Straits Times reported on Friday.

It quoted Minister for Information and the Arts (Mita) Lee
Yock Suan as saying in parliament that newspapers "must be
circumspect when commenting on the domestic politics of our ASEAN
neighbors."

Asked whether newspapers had to restrict their editorials to
conform with government policy, Lee said: "Mita does not control
the editorial line of newspapers, which are independent private
enterprises.

"However, editorial independence does not mean complete
freedom to write as they desire." Mita is responsible for issuing
licenses for any publication in Singapore.