The subject is SERIOUS and I'm reprising what I raed in FULL (it says free...guess it's alright!) as it concerns Bloggers worldwide of potential dangers. Yes, FREEDOM OF SPEECH, whether in conventional print media, or online, or bloggong, IS NEVER ABSOLUTE. Please note this alert because we have to take care of ourselves before we can care for others.
From the Straits Times Singapore
STI Home > Free News Headlines > Story
Oct 8, 2005
Racist bloggers jailed
Callous, reckless remarks can cause social disorder: Judge
By Chong Chee Kin
THE two young men who posted inflammatory racist and vicious remarks about Muslims and Malays on the Internet were given landmark jail sentences yesterday.
Animal shelter assistant Benjamin Koh Song Huat, 27, was convicted of two charges under the Sedition Act and jailed for one month.
Nicholas Lim Yew, 25, an assistant marketing manager, was convicted of one charge under the Act and given a 'nominal' jail term of one day and fined the maximum of $5,000.
Both pleaded guilty to all charges.
Senior District Judge Richard Magnus noted that the remarks posted by Koh were 'particularly vile'.
In imposing sentence, the judge reached back into the past and also noted current terrorism fears to point out the need for 'especial sensitivity of racial and religious issues in our multi-cultural society'.
Using the 1964 race riots to make a point, he said: 'Young Singaporeans, like the accused persons before this Court, may have short memories that race and religion are sensitive issues.
'They must realise that callous and reckless remarks on racial or religious subjects have the potential to cause social disorder, in whatever medium or forum they are expressed.'
He added that it is every Singaporean's duty to respect other races and religions.
This is 'only appropriate social behaviour, independent of any legal duty, of every Singapore citizen and resident', he said.
This is the basic ground rule of living here, he said, and the Sedition Act was meant to draw a 'red line on the ground' against such behaviour. Crossing this line harms not just a racial group, but the very fabric of society, and this was why a deterrent sentence was needed.
APOLOGY FROM BENJAMIN KOH:'I realised that I'm behaving exactly and no better than... a fanatic. Every religion advocates peace, goodwill and tolerance, and in this I had largely forgotten my teachings... Once again, my many apologies for this... disgraceful act.' -- LAU FOOK KONG
The case, which became a major talking point and even drew comments from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong last month, is being seen as a watershed moment in the arena of Internet expression.
It was sparked by a letter to The Straits Times from Madam Zuraimah Mohammed, who asked if cab companies allow uncaged pets to be transported in taxis, after she saw a dog on a taxi seat.
She was concerned because many Muslims in Singapore are forbidden by their faith to come into contact with a dog's saliva.
In response, Koh posted 'highly inflammatory' remarks on his blog, or online journal.
'He spewed vulgarities at the Muslim Malay community, derided and mocked their customs and beliefs and profaned their religion,' Deputy Public Prosecutor Amarjit Singh said.
One comment compared the Muslim religion to Satanism, while others were so extreme they cannot be printed.
Lim posted similar, but less extreme, comments on an online dog lovers' forum.
'He (Lim) derided the practices of their faith, preached intolerance of their beliefs and used highly insulting words against their community,' DPP Singh said.
He stressed that the prosecution was not trying to police and regulate the Internet, but certain basic rules had to be followed to maintain order in Singapore's multi-ethnic society.
After noting that both Koh and Lim had taken action to reduce the offensiveness of their acts by posting apologies on the Internet and in court, the judge closed with a stern warning.
'Bloggers who still have similar offending remarks are well advised to remove them immediately,' he said. 'The Court will not hesitate to impose... stiffer sentences in future cases.'
cheekin@sph.com.sg
5 comments:
Hi Desi
Interesting reading , it matters not where i may travel in my life or footprints i leave behind as long as when i leave this earth ppl remember me as kind.
Not everyone i've met will remember me that way, bcoz we all have differences .
I know growing up in oz and being catholic racism was there and still is slightly towards catholics :(.
I wonder bcoz we are seas apart and
aussie news in not Malaysian news.
Do you know that 3 of the 4 Australians killed last week from the Bali bombings came from Newcastle and many of the injured also came from Newcastle, they were there on a retreat many were students from St Francis Xavier college .
What amazed me was while being interviewed , non of these victims
of the bombings felt hatred for the bombers , they actually stated they felt sad for them and sorry for the Balinese.
I guess im now lost for words to share , maybe i'll send my thoughts via email.
Anyways it seems most governments are in fact trying to crack down lots of things in cyberspace.
Do you know in Oz if you wanna blog on politics ,you have to be approved first ..
Anyways im over blogging , but will be weary of racist remarks cheerz tcz
Sweets:
I'll be at least aappreciative of thy kindness, no worries.
TO ALL MY ESTEEMEDREADERS:
Plaese read today's post at least ONCE thoroughly and remember to be accountabble for what we write, and be proud of our writing and creative ownership.
I AIM TO BE A RESPONSIBLE BLOGGER, THEREFORE I THINK BEFORE I WRITE. Because I HAVE THOUGHT HARD,I FEAR NO ONE, but the Almighty Above.
I: i
S: say
A: amen, ALLways.:):):):):):);)
I can understand that and I'm bold to admit that I'm speaking from experience. And yes, still not too late to practise the freedom of speech cautiously.
Hi Primrose:
These initial lessons relating to Freedom of Expression from across the cuaseway have to be constantkly on our PC screen before we pres the Publish button.
I'm like thee a "cautions" writer, especially after Xperiencing the mainstream press environment. I still salute a minority of the Journalists out there -- braving the storms and maelstroms, enjoying only occasional exhilarating bouts of sunshine and ecstasy. I guess the intrepid writers are made up some indefinable X-stuff, with a streak of masochism in them.
Primrose: Keep writin', 'riting and rightin',:):):) sumtimes e'en writ(H)in'! :( My creed aloud to fellow wordsmiths, whatever their motivation, or isit callin'?
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