Singapore’s Ministers File Defamation Lawsuits Against Bloomberg News
Background
Singapore’s Home Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam and Manpower Minister Tan See Leng had threatened legal action in December against Bloomberg News and one of its reporters over a report on Singapore real estate. The report allegedly mentioned them by name and was deemed libellous by the ministers.
Lawsuits Filed
According to a schedule of court hearings, Shanmugam and Tan have since filed defamation lawsuits against Bloomberg News and the reporter. Bloomberg has declined to comment on the lawsuits, which will be heard at the Supreme Court on March 3.
Government’s Involvement
The Singapore government had previously ordered Bloomberg to issue a "correction direction" on the report, under the country’s Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act. Bloomberg complied with the order, updating the original story with a notice saying the correction direction had been published "under threat of sanction" and standing by its reporting.
Defamation Lawsuits in Singapore
This is not the first time senior figures in Singapore’s ruling People’s Action Party have filed defamation lawsuits against media and political opponents. Former Prime Ministers Lee Kuan Yew and Lee Hsien Loong have also successfully pursued legal action against their critics.
Representation
Shanmugam and Tan are represented by lawyer Davinder Singh, a former ruling party parliamentarian who has represented former premiers in defamation suits. Singh did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.
Conclusion
The defamation lawsuits filed by Singapore’s Home Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam and Manpower Minister Tan See Leng against Bloomberg News and one of its reporters serve as a reminder of the country’s strict defamation laws and the government’s willingness to take action against perceived libel. As the cases proceed, it remains to be seen how the courts will react to the allegations made against the ministers.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the basis for the defamation lawsuits?
The ministers claim that the Bloomberg report on Singapore real estate is libellous and defames them. - What is the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act?
The act allows the government to order corrections to online content deemed to be false or misleading. - Have other Singaporean politicians filed defamation lawsuits?
Yes, former Prime Ministers Lee Kuan Yew and Lee Hsien Loong have successfully pursued legal action against their critics.