The Ministry of Communications and Information issues a warning following Dominic Ziegler’s endorsement of local online publication Jom
On September 8, 2023, the Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI) issued a formal warning to Dominic Ziegler, The Economist’s Singapore bureau chief, over his actions deemed to be interference in Singapore’s domestic politics. This warning follows an endorsement Ziegler made on August 25, in which he publicly supported the local online publication Jom. In his endorsement, Ziegler compared Singapore to an “illiberal state” and encouraged Singaporeans to embrace an alternative vision, diverging from what he claimed was offered by the state and its media.
MCI’s statement emphasized that Ziegler’s actions crossed the line between reporting and active participation in Singapore’s domestic affairs. The ministry reiterated that foreign correspondents and media are free to report on Singapore, but they must refrain from involving themselves in the country’s internal political matters. Ziegler’s position as a journalist with a respected international publication, according to the ministry, should not be exploited to advocate for political stances within Singapore.
The warning also reiterated Singapore’s longstanding policy of not tolerating foreign interference in its politics, emphasizing that Singaporeans alone should engage in political discourse. While foreign correspondents are allowed to report freely, the government maintains the right to correct any foreign reporting it deems inaccurate or biased.
The ministry further clarified that foreign correspondents and media outlets, including The Economist, are welcome to operate in Singapore, provided they adhere to the country’s laws and refrain from interfering in local politics.
