The Dark Shadow Shrine

embrace the darkness; that you may see the light nestled within it......

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

LKY is finally dead!

Click to see clip HERE. (watch it before it's taken down by the authorities!)
A distasteful video put up by a local teen who has since been arrested and charged (see report HERE).
A useful example to ponder on issues regarding the internet and freedom of speech.

Consider these:
- such videos should be allowed as everyone should be free to say what they want in a democratic country

- asking sensitive questions about the establishment is one way to curb corruption by acting as a check and balance...remember the media's role as a watchdog. The western media holds this as the sacred mission of the media, what is known as the 'fourth estate'. LKY appears to oppose this as he saw this 'nosey-parker' role of the media as being the 'invigilator, adversary and inquisitor of the administration' (see clip HERE from 0.59). But influential and powerful organisations and govts will be more careful about toeing the line if they know the media is watching and will be reporting on what they do...the whole idea of the whistle-blower who exposes corrupt and unethical acts is only possible if people have the freedom to say what they want.

- can we allow people to anyhow just spread baseless allegations just because they don't like the person? Won't it be hurtful to the victim and hence constitute cyber-bullying?
Consider John Stuart's Mill's harm principle -- we have the freedom and right to do whatever we want, provided what we do does not infringe on the freedom and right of others.

-what if the person targeted here is someone of repute such as the King or politician or government of the country? would it erode the people's trust in the government and make it difficult for the govt to run the country, ultimately causing the nation to suffer? because once the govt's credibility is tarnished and called into qn, people will also doubt their policies no matter how good they are..(see clip HERE from 3.50)

-does it matter THE WAY we put forth our questions, esp if they are valid questions? Compare the way the guy (Amos Yee) deliver his argument in the video versus, say Catherine Lim's criticisms of the govt in her articles....Does the guy in the video comes across as credible, even if we give him the benefit of the doubt that his allegations might have some validity? (Catherine Lim is a political commentator in Singapore, but she is more well-known as a celebrated novelist. She was once a GP teacher! You can visit her blog HERE)

-what if the things people want to be free to say actually involves confidential information that will pose a disadvantage to the organisation or nation? eg military and trade secrets? Should teachers be free to say to you the answers of the exams?

-but instead of muzzling people's mouth and shutting them up, wouldn't it be a better way to debate the sensitive issues openly and challenge the false allegations and clear things up, so that misguided notions and falsehoods are shattered, hence strengthening the 'correct' views in the process? Clamping up people's mouth might actually deny the 'truth' of the opportunity of being revealed to the people, as people will be suspicious of the validity of your version, the more you try to suppress contrary views.


Another article to read HERE on the issue of freedom in Singapore.

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Qn: To what extent should there be a limit on the freedom of speech?