Singapore Democrats
The Producer
Talking Points
Channel News Asia
Dear Sir/Madam,
We note that a ‘special edition’ of Talking Point which aired last night featured representatives of both the ruling and opposition parties where they discussed the upcoming general elections. The parties are the People’s Action Party (PAP), the National Solidarity Party (NSP), the Workers’ Party (WP) and the Reform Party (RP).
We note also that the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) was not invited to the programme. This is not the first time that the SDP has been excluded from Talking Point. In a previous episode the programme also invited the NSP, WP, and RP but kept the SDP out.
It is unfortunate that Channel News Asia (CNA) has chosen to discriminate against the SDP. Given that the station is the only broadcaster in Singapore, it is important that your news organisation discharge its journalistic duties responsibly and in an even-handed manner. The decision to exclude us from the programme smacks of a political agenda in line with that of the PAP’s.
We protest such blatant and reprehensible discrimination in the strongest manner possible.
As an active and registered political party in Singapore, we are entitled to an explanation from CNA. As a news outfit funded by the public, CNA has a duty to explain to its viewers why the SDP was left out of the programme.
We look forward to hearing from you. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Chee Soon Juan
Secretary-General
Singapore Democratic Party