I was on my way to photograph the Workers’ Party rally in Yishun tonight when I received a phone call from a friend. “DID YOU SEE THE NEW PAPER TODAY?!”
I had not, but since she had had such an extreme reaction, I made a point to. And this was what I read:
I was very confused to read this, and not just because of the typo in the sub-heading. In fact, I couldn’t actually believe what I was reading. And I’ll tell you why.
BECAUSE I WAS THERE. AND THIS DIDN’T HAPPEN.
I was at the SDP rally on Friday night at Jurong East stadium. I was photographing the rally for The Online Citizen, as well as live-tweeting for TOC’s updates on the main site and on the Facebook page.
I was there when the final speech was over, and all the candidates from the SDP stood on stage to wave to the people. Then Bentley, one of the MCs, said that a supporter (from Sembawang) had come, and wanted to garland Dr Chee Soon Juan. However, Bentley said that the law did not allow Dr Chee to go on stage, and so he could not be garlanded on stage for everyone to see. It was then that I posted this tweet:
Dr Chee then came out from backstage, waving to the people. Sure, he was followed by two SDP members who were carrying SDP flags, but it was hardly a procession. How could it be? He was separated from the public by the barrier that had been put up. He smiled and waved to the crowd, because everyone had broken into cheers upon seeing him.
He was then garlanded offstage. People crowded towards him to shake hands and ask for autographs. Dr Chee was still separated from the crowd by the barrier at the time.
I bumped into some friends and we stood together chit-chatting for awhile as I waited to say hello to Teo Soh Lung, who was receiving well-wishes from everyone and autographing copies of her book. The other candidates such as Dr Vincent Wijeysingha were also there, talking to people, shaking hands, taking photographs. There was no disruption, no sign of any “antics”.
I later saw Dr Chee standing next to the merchandise stall, and photographers crowding in to snap pictures. Being a kiasu Singaporean, I joined them too, camera at the ready. There was a small crowd behind the photographers.
I guess everyone was wondering if Dr Chee was going to do anything “radical”, and I have to admit that the thought had crossed my mind. But he did not. He only said that he was not legally allowed to address the public, and then he urged everyone to visit the SDP website and look at the all the information presented there. “That’s where we can talk,” he said.
I left the rally thinking that Dr Chee had handled the whole episode quite well indeed. And I’m not the only one. This blogger evidently thought so too.
Just to make sure that I wasn’t just being incredibly blur and missing out on any blatant acts of civil disobedience, I asked on Twitter for others who had been at the rally to get in touch, so I could corroborate my story.
(If anyone else was at the rally that night, I would still love to hear from you and find out what you saw. Just leave a comment below.)
Also, I notice that TNP said that this “incident” happened after Ms Teo Soh Lung’s speech. This is inaccurate. Ms Teo was not even the final speaker of the evening; Dr Vincent Wijeysingha spoke after her. Dr Chee did not appear until after the whole rally was over.
As far as I can tell from what I witnessed with my own eyes, as well as others who had attended the rally, there were no “incidents” and no “antics”. Certainly no protest marches, or attempts for any protest marches.
So really, my question to The New Paper is this: buay pai seh ah?
Skewed reporting is one thing, and Melvin Singh* and I have had to agree to disagree on that front. But reporting that is unsubstantiated (except by “unnamed” and “anonymous” SDP members/candidates) and false is a whole other thing. It is unethical, irresponsible, and disgraceful journalism. One does not even have to be a journalist to know this.
I haven’t seen it but I understand OMY has also picked this up, taking it even further and saying that Dr Chee had insisted on going onstage to make a speech. Which absolutely did not happen. Not at the rally I attended, anyway.
SDP has issued a response on their website here, with a video by TOC of Dr Chee at the Woodlands Stadium on Saturday night. I don’t think it was that much different from what happened at Jurong East on Friday night – he was very popular and everyone wanted to say hello, shake his hand, exchange a few words.
Now, it is my turn to ask: what is TNP’s “agenda”? Why try so hard to cast doubt on the character of Dr Chee Soon Juan now, so close to Polling Day, and to make it seem like there is a growing rift in the SDP? Why go to so much effort to piece together hearsay (that could possibly have been totally fabricated as far as “unnamed” sources are concerned) to make the party look bad? Why couldn’t they just have reported the rally honestly and properly, instead of digging around for dirt?
Would TNP ever have run a story based on hearsay and anonymous sources like this about the PAP? I find it hard to believe.
Really, what sort of newspaper is TNP trying to be? The Daily Mail?!
* Just for your information, Bryna Sim and Melvin Singh, who were the two reporters on this article about Dr Chee, were also the same two people who had been involved in the headline/front page related to Vincent Wijeysingha that I had complained to The New Paper about not so long ago. See here.
UPDATE 02052011 (morning):
After this blog post was put on TOC’s Facebook page, other comments came in from people who had been at the rally. I will continue to update this post as and when I come across new comments.
After the whole thing about the “gay MP” headline, Melvin Singh sent me the following FB note:
If you, too, would like to help keep Melvin Singh honest, please write in to him at melvin@sph.com.sg!
UPDATE 02052011 (night):
After many, many, many people commented on her FB page with angry complaints, these are Bryna Sim’s responses:
A fellow attendee of the 29 April rally at Jurong East has also posted this video, showing Dr Chee shaking hands and greeting people. Anyone see a protest march, or an attempt at a protest march?
Here is another video uploaded. From about 10:40 you can see the end of the rally and then Dr Chee coming out to meet people.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cu2y3kjY24]
UPDATE 03052011 (morning):
Bryna Sim’s latest update on her FB page.
karen
May 2, 2011
The same can be said of all the mainstream press in Singapore. I had a look at the Chinese papers as well. I lost count of the pages of PAP PR BS. But TNP, trumps them all.
I think “TNP BUAY PAI SEH AH” makes for a good slogan for a sign.
This limited political expression we have is exactly what is driving many away from the men in white.
denn
May 2, 2011
i think this was the journalist that wrote it.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1844362659
shoujie
May 2, 2011
“In which every person who was witness to the SDP rally writes, emails and generally hassles TNP for inaccuracies in reporting.”*
* Demanding a printed correction, preferably?
xizor2000
May 2, 2011
Thanks for the link back Kirsten.
I was with 2 other friends at the stadium. We were expecting a spectacle when the SDP party flags went up waving. We then heard a supporter was going to present Dr Chee a garland. Nothing else happened after that and we walked off to catch supper.
To add on (something not relevant to this article): The property prices of HDB resale flats in Hougang and Potong Pasir SMC did not fall through the basement. One can check that on the HDB website.
The fact that the PAP is feeding us half truths, is of no wonder why even the main stream media gives us the same sh*te. And I wonder how much more half truths have the PAP given us in terms of economic growth, employment etc.
Vincent Yap
May 2, 2011
This is not the first time that The New Paper has ‘mis reported” or print inaccurate account of events.
I think we should hassle them to let them know that it is not right for them to lead people on by their inaccuracies on reporting as this may lead to dire consequences due to their reporters’ incompetence.
Netto
May 2, 2011
I’ve always regarded TNP as a joke newspaper. All of the titles I’ve seen are somewhat sensationalized, and I only read the paper for humour, nothing more, nothing less.
I rather read ST for local news, but even then, I usually believe online reports are always better.
Dead Poet
May 2, 2011
Please these two are ball lickers of the higest order.
kirsten
May 2, 2011
And also http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1035471793
kirsten
May 2, 2011
Yes, the email of one of the reporters is melvin@sph.com.sg, write in if you would like to complain!
kirsten
May 2, 2011
It is incredibly disgraceful that such underhanded tactics are being used in this elections. It really shows which is the party that lacks integrity and devotion to the people, and is all about covering their own butts.
kirsten
May 2, 2011
Such unethical and irresponsible reporting should not be allowed to pass without public outcry. They especially need to learn that in this Internet age they cannot get away with such fabrications.
HermioneJ
May 2, 2011
The newspapers in Singapore are the mouthpiece of the ruling party. Should we be surprised? If LKY and the rest of the PAP can come out and character assassinate the opposition, take the International Herald Tribune to court for libel, bus residents from all over Singapore (including Tg Pagar, according to the video TOC did) )what is making up stories about the Opposition?
Vote for change. Vote for accountability.
Mohamed Abdullah
May 2, 2011
Thanks New Paper for the outrageous sensational piece of reporting.
From today I will save 70cts daily by not buying the TNP. Rather give myself a treat of teh tarik
strangeknight
May 2, 2011
No point writing letters or complaining. Stop buying the TNP if you’re *really* disgusted with them. Money is the only language they understand.
Paul
May 2, 2011
Yes, I could already see the news report from the second day of the rallies how they were all made in favor of the PAP. Shameful!
Since this report is also untrue about Dr. Chee, we Singaporeans should demand an apology from TNP to readers, and a corrected report by TNP.
I really find it hard to believe that this is the standard of Singapore’s journalism.
TNP want sensational news
May 2, 2011
The thing is TNP want sensational news. And they cant get any so far. So they must have come up with this. How about TR or the online citizen or someone create a face book like “I don’t want tine pei ling to be my MP”?
It can be “Don’t buy TNP” or ” Who don’t like Melvin singh & Bryna Sim” some thing like that. Then only these people will stop this kind of bias reporting.
We should have one for ” Boycott all local papers”
kelly
May 2, 2011
Say NO to skewed reporting!
Jiahui
May 2, 2011
We should print t-shirts with “TNP Buay Pai Seh Ah!?” on it.
Aaron
May 2, 2011
strangeknight is right, No point writing letters or complaining. Stop buying the TNP if you’re *really* disgusted with them. Money is the only language they understand. they are all on the PAP side.
bookjunkie
May 2, 2011
My mum calls newpaper…the rubbish newspaper…and this was years ago when it first came out. She used to scold us for buying it for the kaypoh news and wasting 50 cents. They have proven her right again and again.
soojenn
May 2, 2011
Kudos to you for reporting the case as it is, otherwise the MSM will again get away with it wth such slanderous reporting to discrfedit CSJ. It leaves little to imagination how they have shamelessly discredited CSJ in the past to have Singaporeans believe that he is a violent person, and god knows what else, when the social media is not a widespread now, and with citizens like yourselves reporting on facts and have vindicated him.
SPH needs to have a paper like TNP to report trash, that’s what the T stands for while ST tries to look more professional.
Well it appears that they can no longer get away with it, now with the new media, and the innumerous frelance reporters like yourself with no special agenda like what the two TNP reporters have, ass licked their masters?
l.y
May 2, 2011
http://www.temasekreview.com/2011/05/02/tnp-editor-we-stand-by-our-story-that-dr-chee-tried-to-start-a-protest-march/
WindsOfChange
May 2, 2011
Well, I don’t know if anyone has gone ahead to do it, but in case no one has, please do show your support here http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/boycott_tnp/ .
Do forward to all your friends and any other people who feel strongly bout the current situation in Singapore and who want to make a difference.
I totally agree with the adage that you hit them where it hurts them the most…. in the pockets. After all, they like their masters do have certain KPIs to fulfill, elections or not.
TNTP
May 2, 2011
Hi Kirsten,
Am borrowing your title for this: http://thenewtoiletpaper.moonfruit.com
Hope you don’t mind.
Cheers!
Joanne
May 3, 2011
This link doesn’t work anymore it seems.
kirsten
May 3, 2011
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Boycott-TNP-The-New-Paper-Stop-Gutter-Journalism/121082877970493 <- Here is the page on FB!
kirsten
May 3, 2011
No problem! I don’t own copyright to “buay paiseh” HEHEHEHE.
Raman Nair
May 3, 2011
TNP Gutter journalism same as ruling party’s control on main newspaper
like below:
RE: Weekend Propaganda Column )Weekly) in Sunday times By MMLee’s daughterLee Wei Ling :Journalism Or Party/Family Propaganda Machinery
Famous despots and dictators used to write weekly and daily columns and articles in their countries’ mainstream publications and newspapers by themselves or by their family members or appointed ghost writers. This has been the proven case of Saddam Hussein, Hitler, Gaddafi, North Korean Leader to create stories of “awe” and selflessness and heroic exploits to boost up the populist and public view of the great leaders.
In Singapore, we see a non- journalist , Lee Wei ling given the main weekly column in our mainstream newspaper to write propaganda stories about her family, leader and party which is similar in comparison though less controversial.
But does the mainstream newspaper become a propaganda tool for anyone or specifically any leader or his family which is not in tandem and acceptable to the merits of journalism and public opinion.
Even politicans like Dr Mahatir M in Msia have his own blog with sizeable viewship and support from various groups and fanclub within his country. So does many politicians and their family members who are trying to tell their views and share stories about their families and ideas/beliefs via social media, blogs in current times.
This would be “not a given” as whether people flock tor ead these articles depend on whether these views and stories are likeable, no bias, self serving or least function with a simple literary merit in them to compel or attract any reasonable reader to read them. But the reality of social media/blogs is that only if people take or accept these views and stories /updates seriously your viewership or readership goes up and more people would read or forward to their friends and family.
But having a mainstream section within the weekly main newspaper on a weekend as a given highlights desperation and clear manipulation of the mainstream news media by a selected individual inoder to force or ” influence” people similar to the various despots and negative examples in history as nobody gave that previlege based on popularity demand or journalistic merit for this person to write such articles weekly.
Even a current very fast growing political newbie with increasing facebook likes and increasing popularity, viewed as one of the fastest growing and influential Gen Y and youth Ms Nicole Seah was not given a column in the mainstream newspaper to share views or articles whereas in all developed or even developing countries ; any intelligent or newsworthy and journalistic organisation would have offered that platform to someone who is liked and whose views matters.
And not by someone riding on a political name, family ties or connections to warrant an important journalisitic space in our mainstream paper.
This is ” Gutter Journalism” or opportunistic manipulation by someone for own propaganda which is not accepted by the public and new readers.
Ask the party to start he own blog or social media page for a start to share her views and propaganda stories and see if anyone comes to read them as a real world evaluation assessment tool than misusing the main newspapers as a given.
then we rest our case.
Raman Nair
Raman Nair
May 3, 2011
RE:The Prostituted Stand Of Our Main Stream News Media & local Journalism Which includes ST,Today, TNP, CNA And all chinese/malay news.
Sad to say but our journalist have been left to “prostitute” their journalistic service for the ruling party without a backbone, self pride, decency and even a simple ounce of initiative or thought just to please their ruling masters.
The continued fabrication of news stories, ghsot writer written forum articles in praise of ruling party and in full criticism of opposition, blank cheque weekly family propaganda articles by MM Lee’s daughter on Sunday times main paper, full 90% coverage and politicking for the ruling party as PAP main paper shows signs of disaster and self denial as witnessed by the mainstream news media of the govt in Msai before the Political Tsunami results of YR2008. The same tell signs of denial and rosy , imaginative pro party stories spinned and covered by mainstream media until election date despite true anti PAP ground sentiments everywhere in social media, alternative blogs/media, attendance of major opposition rallies everywhere in Singapore.
The result nobody cannot stop the reality and final results of a major Tsunami results for GE2011 this year. The biggest casualty will be the mainstream news media which is biased and PAP driven.
Your answer will come in the form of dropping readership, viewship of your bias news media programmes, the rejection of your bias and “lying” journalists like Melvin Singh, Dominic Nathan and Bryna Sim of TNP who are disgrace to journalism. This includes censure and rejection of your status as journalists by your peers within the journalistic community of the world as we would expose you for who and what you are.
Last the reality check will be the rise of new news media and alternative models with gd biz models and successful increase in their readership, subscription and viewship. More will emerge which would displace your bias news media slowly as seen im msia where the major online news media of the non government organisations and neutral org rule the readership and viewship ratings.
Your decline as journalists and your “bias” crap platforms as news will be your rewards for your “journalistic prostitution”
Shame on you and looking forward to your slow demise and end of your majority control and monopoly of the news media in Singapore.
Raman Nair
Raman Nair
May 3, 2011
Source: TR_Food For Your Thghts:
To repeat in SG GE2011
FROM YEAR 2008:Breaking news From SG General Elections 2011
MSIA’s REPEAT TSUNAMI ELECTIONS RESULTS NOW IN SG GE2011
In the weeks leading to the Malaysian General Election 2008, public
dissatisfaction and anger against the rulin Barisan Nasional coalition
reached a feverish state in Malaysian chatrooms and blogs.
While the internet was abuzz with the corruption scandals which plagued the
Malaysian government, the Malaysian media continued to paint a rosy picture
on the ground to create a ‘feel good’ factor among the populace, ignoring
the prevailing sentiment in cyberspace.
Famous Malaysian blogger Raja Petra Kamarrudin made a bold prediction on his
blog Malaysia Today that the opposition will win at least four Malaysian
states and deny the Barisan its two-third majority in parliament. His
prediction was laughed off by many as Barisan under then Prime Minister
Abdullah Badawi who won a landslide victory in the preceding general
election in 2004.
When the political tsunami finally hit Malaysia on 8th March 2008, Badawi
was so shell-shocked that he did not know what hit him. One of his first
public statements after the election was: “I think we underestimate the
influence of the New Media and was made to pay a heavy price for it.”
The situation in Singapore right now is exactly the same as in Malaysia in
2008 though the issues are different. The cyberspace is swarmed by anti-PAP
views and comments which are hardly reported in the mainstream media. PAP
leaders continue to pay lip service to Singaporeans instead of addressing
their genuine concerns.
So will Malaysia’s political tsunami hit the shores of Singapore on 7th May?
Yes and No.
The coming general election will be a pivotal moment in the history of
Singapore. There is widespread unhappiness with the PAP government’s
policies such as its economic, immigration and labor policies. The
opposition is also fielding its strongest slate of candidates to contest in
all the constituencies for the first time since Singapore’s independence.
Compared to 2006, the ground has clearly shifted in favor of the opposition.
SG GE2011: Same Situation
Same mainstream denial, and feel good stories while social and alternative media buzzing with
negative feedback fm pple, ruling in self denial, still old tatics, nothing chgd while the voters’ mindsets have
- Gd opposition, better coordination, more detailed manifesto and key topics affecting pple.
- New media and channels
- DDOS and other attacks on alternative and opposition media
- growing intelligent supporters
- Ground ripe for chg or start of change.
K
mohd ibrahim
May 3, 2011
gd article and agreed.SPH And Mainstream News media gatekeepers like Shuan Seow,Walter Fernandaz,Dominic Nathan, Ms Chui and more with govt links to face up to reality as the public readers reject these bias reporting.wake up or you lose our support with your ratings to down like the tsunami.
Jeremy
May 3, 2011
The New Paper is a tabloid paper.. I stop reading since 10 yrs ago…
seiya
May 4, 2011
Can I say that most of the mainstream media has fallen?
Read a “report” on Channel News Asia headline yesterday regarding Aljunied MPs making police report on vandalism on their posters.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1126558/1/.html
Of the 6 paragraphs in the short article, 4 paragraphs are on WP and not related to the headline at all. The intention of the article is blatant.
VL
May 5, 2011
Just like the people in white, BS (her acronym is ironic as well) naturally won’t admit her mistake easily. URGH all these bs is just making my blood boil >:(
VL
May 5, 2011
BS’s FB info:
”
“It’s not the stories I write that I deem the most impt, but the people that I meet in the process of crafting each story.
This account is for you, dear friends, to give me feedback abt my stories. You can also suggest story ideas here.
Everything she writes are like stories to her. Stories are not facts, no wonder she can just anyhow write la.
Tan Kah Min
May 5, 2011
The New Paper has just published a follow-up article on this one today (5 May 2011), with interviews with SDP members to boot!
kirsten
May 5, 2011
What does it say? I’m sending this message on my phone now because I don’t have proper Internet access, and I refuse to buy TNP any more.
WindsOfChange
May 5, 2011
Since so many of you are upset with TNP’s gutter journalism, why don’t you just boycott. I myself have probably bought TNP only once is the last 6 years. A lot of what they write is an insult to one’s intelligence.
Anyway, please see this petition and do send out to all your friends and contacts.
(By the way, I have also decided to boycott Straits Times. Their coverage of GE2011 is extremely biased too. I’ll only buy the Sunday Times from now on)
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/boycott_tnp/