CSJ asks for SDP v PAP debate on Talking Point

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Thursday, 03 March 2011

Singapore Democrats

Han Chuan Quee
Vice President, Corporate Services
Channel NewsAsia

Dear Madam,

Thank you for your reply. Your letter said almost everything except answer my question of why the SDP was left out of the Talking Point episode that was aired last Sunday evening.

You write that the “SDP’s views on the changes to the electoral boundaries were reported by MediaCorp”, that the episode in question was “prompted by the announcement of changes in electoral boundaries”, that the programme was “meant to be a more qualitative discussion” and so on.

What has all this to do with the SDP being left out of the programme?

You also say that there has been no other single programme which featured the RP, WP, and NSP in one show but “there were different episodes of Talking Point which featured the different parties separately and on different topics.” Was the SDP ever invited to any of these?

The Talking Point programme has been airing for years. During that time, the SDP has never been invited to be on it. Other parties have - repeatedly. And you expect people to believe that there is no discrimination against us?

Just because you say that there is no attempt to discriminate against the SDP doesn't make it true. You need to demonstrate it.

To this end I have a proposal: Talking Point can do an episode where the PAP is invited to present its Budget and the SDP its Shadow Budget with both sides having an intelligent and robust debate on the matter.

The SDP, you may know, is the only opposition party to publish an alternative to Budget 2011. For that matter, we are the only party to have ever come up with a Shadow Budget in the history of Singapore. Given this, it is timely to have such an episode. I am certain that your viewers would be intensely interested to watch an SDP-PAP debate.

Sincerely,

Chee Soon Juan
Secretary-General
Singapore Democratic Party

Dear Dr Chee,

Thank you for writing in with your feedback. We would like to emphasize that Channel NewsAsia, which has reported on local, regional and international news developments for over a decade now, has no agenda to advance, except to carry the news and views which are relevant to our viewers.

Let me also assure you that there is no attempt to discriminate against the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP).

In fact, the SDP’s views on the changes to the electoral boundaries were reported by MediaCorp on several of its media platforms. In case, you missed the news reports, Dr Chee, you were quoted as saying that you did not see a logical explanation in how the boundaries had been drawn and they "seem to have been carved up in a haphazard way to benefit the PAP". Other examples of stories include the report of political parties doing their walkabouts and opposition parties planning to discuss constituency allocation.

The latest episode of Talking Point, which you referred to, was prompted by the announcement of changes in electoral boundaries on the afternoon of 24 February 11, and the program was due for recording the following morning.

Many considerations go into the conduct of such a forum, including the program duration, size of panel, turnaround time and identifying topics of relevance. For instance, one key point of discussion was how new Single-Member Constituencies would affect plans and strategies of incumbent MPs and the parties contesting. The programme was not meant to be a comprehensive report card detailing the reaction of every single political party in Singapore. At the latest count, there are at least 11 active political parties in Singapore. The approximately 40-minute programme, excluding commercial breaks, was instead meant to be a more qualitative discussion, to give viewers a flavour of the different points of view about the changes to the electoral boundaries, as seen from the Opposition camp as well as incumbents from the ruling party.

On your reference to “a previous episode” of the programme which you said had invited the NSP, WP, and RP but not the SDP, we would like to correct this misconception. There has been no other single programme which featured the mentioned Opposition parties in one show. There were different episodes of Talking Point which featured the different parties separately and on different topics.

Last weekend’s programme had received encouraging feedback from several viewers. We aim to produce programmes that add value for the viewing public, and we will continually work to improve our productions. For this reason, when we receive comments, whether constructive or otherwise, they would always be seriously considered.

Thank you.

Yours sincerely,
Han Chuan Quee (Ms)
Vice President, Corporate Services
Channel NewsAsia
MediaCorp Pte Ltd

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Comments (15)

Thu 03 Mar 2011 9:41 AM | maxchew

Let me be the first to bet with anyone $100 to just $10 that our cowardly Establishment including Mediacorp will not dare to accept Dr Chee's challenge? There's no doubt Mediacorp was told in no uncertain terms to EXCLUDE SDP. I strongly suspect as it had happened b4, it was MP Indranee who's wary/scared of Dr CSJ, who told Mediacorp she won't attend if Dr Chee is there.

It's a good sign the Estab is obviously afraid of SDP and not the rest. It means simply they know SDP now has a big influence on S'poreans esp voters!!!

Keep up the good honorable work Dr Chee....I'm confident of SDP's turnaround success in GE 2011. The PAP and all its hanger-ons are in for a shock just like BN in Malaysia in March 2008.

Thu 03 Mar 2011 10:08 AM | quantum - SDP is the real deal

SDP is the real deal

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/the_real_deal

A thing or person which is genuine, authentic, or worthy of serious regard.

Thu 03 Mar 2011 10:17 AM | Tan Tai Wei

True, "different shows on different themes featuring different sets of political parties", but somehow ALWAYS SDP excluded.

True, there have been "reports of parties doing walkabouts", but somehow NEVER (unless I missed some shows) featuring SDP. (Even if I have missed some shows that did feature SDP, it must have been comparatively so scarce as to show the bias. I seldom miss the nightly news.)

"Quality programs for viewers"? First, let us know SDP exists and what they do and say (how can these be "irrelevant" to voters, who have to know them first, even if they should vote against them). CNA are the judges of "quality" and so prevent voters getting to know them?

Thu 03 Mar 2011 10:21 AM | Robox

Of course, the PAP is terrified of the SDP. It should be a flattering thought except that that piece of flattery won't do much for SDP members' chances of election. Exactly as the PAP intends.

Did anyone read YPAP member, Genesis Shen's pretense of a budget analysis.? It was unmistakable that hids piece of diatribe was written with the SDP in mind. Right after the SDP unveiled its shadow budget.

That's how afraid they are of the SDP and that's why the SDP must be blacked out at every cost.

Thu 03 Mar 2011 10:44 AM | King Cobra

Yes indeed, it would be great and definitely a crowd puller, watching such rarest event in the history of singapore politics.

But as usual, I'm highly sceptical for such event to happen, since mention many times before, that the SDP are in fact, having down to earth thinkings and speeches, which will make pap government shiver down their pants, making people realize the cowardness, un-gentleman like behaviour, avoid and de-void related issues, total money minded thinkings and motives, not adhere to feedback and advise, but would only prowess to demonstrate full authoritarianism etc...................

Well, it would be interesting to note in the coming days, that there will be many many stories to uncover and discover, not only with SDP alone, but with all other opposition parties as well.

Hence, as of this moment, SDP seems to be creating certain wave of impacts, over the various medias, in bringing about attention from the general public, where many had feared to tread, nor like to discuss about it before.

Well done SDP, and we are highly confident, that the SDP will be certainly a force to be reckon with in the forthcoming GE. CHEERS SDP! JEERS pap!

Thu 03 Mar 2011 12:09 PM | Tan Tai Wei

Poor thing. Ms Han has got a job to keep!

Probably it happened this wise.

Either 1) PM's office calls the press, or, in this case, Media Corp. Unofficial, off-record instructions are given to play down, if not exclude Chee.

Or 2) CNA on its own, as commonly practised everywhere, does the politically correct thing (like bookshops not daring to sell Chee's books even when they are not banned).

But all this cannot be official, indeed must be officially denied. Your "talent" at your official duties includes demonstrating the ability to both do it and convincing the public you haven't done it, indeed proving you've done just the opposite.

Hence, those many factual details in Ms Han's letter, mostly side-tracking the issue? The more you think you need to say to prove a point, the more untrue you know it is?

Thu 03 Mar 2011 1:15 PM | freedomT

She is already lying through her lips. Such a lady with no self respect at all. She is even worst than you know who on the street. Only think of promotion and hopefully one of the PAP ministers would notice her and she get to be selected one of the MPs in the near future. Good prospect to be a dishonest and trustworthy person. Anyway, SDP is a united stable party unlike SDA and RP. WP is just toeing PAP stance to make sure they are not ban like the SDP. The more PAP lie about SDP, the more we must VOTE the PAP out and the more we must hear the views of the SDP. PAP is indeed cheating and lying with us. They keep on bluffing and running away from problems and refused to solve it. When the tide gets rough, they quickly blame it on Malays/ Muslims here and around in this region. Easy way out for them ya. Blame it on the Malays for everything that goes wrong in Singapore. We want a honest party like SDP to run Singapore not a party that create racial tension and corrupted party as the PAP.

Thu 03 Mar 2011 1:15 PM | Prime Citizen

Han Chuan Quee (Ms),Vice President, Corporate Services
Channel NewsAsia MediaCorp Pte Ltd, kindly save all your banana oil and get to the point of the issue which matters to your honest and sincere viewers worlwide. Either be a media you can proud of or be just another 'puppet' platform for the ruling party, the choice is yours, and i choose to skip CNA until you prove you are worth the time and effort to listen to. Honest Reporting is rare and dangerous in today news.

Thu 03 Mar 2011 3:55 PM | jthc

Congrats Dr Chee and All Members of SDP. All of you are outstanding! Keep up the great work!

In any game, political or otherwise, they only go after the guy with the ball. The fact that they are doing their utmost to pin down Dr Chee is a clear indication that he is doing something right.

SALUTE! There's an officer on board!

Thu 03 Mar 2011 4:21 PM | quantum - No charisma in PAP 'leaders'

Leaders in authoritarian regimes usually lack the charisma necessary for a pubic debate. For eg, you dont see that happening in China, but happening in US and UK.

If the PAP should be in a debate, they will lose totally flat, and not only that - totally defeated and humiliated.

Thu 03 Mar 2011 4:30 PM | quantum - GDP Bonus of 8 Months for Senior Civil Servants

http://www.salary.sg/2011/gdp-bonus-8-months-senior-civil-servants/

Fri 04 Mar 2011 11:36 AM | Seelan Palay

Of course, any physical similarities between the two persons above is purely coincidental.

Sat 05 Mar 2011 12:05 AM | freedomT

Seelan, both of them are totaly different. SDP version is an honest guy who really think how to improve the lives of all Singaporean. while the other one from the PAP, is only thinking of more promotions, his career and his money. He has no guts to come out with an honest and fair budget without getting a hammer from his Master LKY. Later he will get a slap from SM Goh as what happened to SIA S.D. the former minister.

Sat 05 Mar 2011 1:02 AM | Robox

Many a time, I have referred to the political oppression in Singapore and have likened it to other forms of oppression like racism, etc.

This episode is just one of many indications of that political oppression. Just like racism in the US, say, is not only about white versus black, but includes the varying degrees of racism experienced by other non-white ethncities, political oppression in Singapore also affects all political parties (and their supporters) but only in varying degrees.

Like blacks in the US with regrads to racism, the SDP bears the brunt of the poltical oppression in Singapore.

Thus to deal more effectively with this particular episode, it would pay to take a leaf out of anti-racism activism. The SDP has posed the question:

"The Talking Point programme has been airing for years. During that time, the SDP has never been invited to be on it. Other parties have - repeatedly."

Now, on further thought, I think that the best way to deal with this is to adopt the following:

1. Anticipate that this will happen again. And again. (That's what all oppression is.)

2. Keep records of how other parties are reported on and/or featured in ALL media.

3. Tabulate the records to show the disparity between the treatment of other parties and that of the SDP.

4. Charge "discrimination" with the irrefuable evidence.

Indeed, I still recall how less than two years ago a journalist whose name I cannot remember (a Malay individual) from another Mediacorps outlet, Today, sent interview questions to the SDP office just 20 minutes before the office closed and at a time when staff were preparing for their newspaper selling rounds. In the end, all - or most - other opposition political parties were covered in that report.

But not the SDP.

In fact all the above steps can be done in retrospect as well, if the party has been keeping those records.

Yes, this would have to be done like a scientific study.

Sat 05 Mar 2011 5:37 AM | Robox

There is at least one very good reason that Talking Point should feature the SDP and the PAP in an upcoming episode.

In the last episode of TP, Debra Soon bravely declared at least twice that 'we' will be discussing the Budget in the 'next two weeks'. I don't know who she means by "we", but the record stands: the SDP is still the only opposition party to have come up with alternative budget proposals.

I also hope that Debra Soon has not caught the disease of false bravado that her political masters are so acutely infected with. Didn't Vivian Balakrishnan indicate at the recent SDP walkabout in Holland-Bukit Timah when he ran into SDP members that he was sure that the two parties would have an opportunity to debate? If not on this occasion, then when?

If as Han claims, 'Channel NewsAsia,..has no agenda to advance, except to carry the news and views which are relevant to our viewers' then surely a Budget debate between the SDP and the PAP would provide the best opportunity to prove her gradiose claim to hold water.

Budget 2011 is nothing if not 'relevant' to CNA's viewers, assuming that CNA's viweres includes voters with Singapore citizenship.

If she has other criteria to determine what 'relevant' means in this context, the onus is on her to clarify that.