Police warn ST editor, SPH over Punggol East poll report.
By Rachel Chang
Police gave a stern warning to The Straits Times editor and Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) yesterday for a newspaper report in January on the Punggol East by-election.
The Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) said the warning was in lieu of prosecution for the offence of publishing a poll after the Writ of Election had been issued.
The offending article, headlined "ST poll: More rooting for PAP", had presented the views of 50 Punggol East residents that reporters had interviewed.
Section 78C of the Parliamentary Act prohibits the publication of such surveys in the period from the issuance of the Writ of Election until the close of polling.
The offence is punishable with up to 12 months in jail and/or a fine not exceeding $1,500.
The AGC statement said the publication of the article was attributable to neglect on the part of ST's editor, Mr Warren Fernandez.
Yesterday, Mr Fernandez and Mr Patrick Daniel, editor-in-chief of the English and Malay Newspapers Division, presented themselves at the Central Police Division to receive the written warnings, said SPH. Must have had your backs patted followed by tea and cakes before the presentation of the friendly warnings!
"The Straits Times newsroom cooperated fully with the police during their investigations and accepted that there was an internal lapse that led to the Publication of the poll results," the company added.
Mr Fernandez said: "It has always been our approach that when we get something wrong, we acknowledge it, put it right and strive to do better." This is so PM Lee! :oIo:
By Rachel Chang
Police gave a stern warning to The Straits Times editor and Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) yesterday for a newspaper report in January on the Punggol East by-election.
The Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) said the warning was in lieu of prosecution for the offence of publishing a poll after the Writ of Election had been issued.
The offending article, headlined "ST poll: More rooting for PAP", had presented the views of 50 Punggol East residents that reporters had interviewed.
Section 78C of the Parliamentary Act prohibits the publication of such surveys in the period from the issuance of the Writ of Election until the close of polling.
The offence is punishable with up to 12 months in jail and/or a fine not exceeding $1,500.
The AGC statement said the publication of the article was attributable to neglect on the part of ST's editor, Mr Warren Fernandez.
Yesterday, Mr Fernandez and Mr Patrick Daniel, editor-in-chief of the English and Malay Newspapers Division, presented themselves at the Central Police Division to receive the written warnings, said SPH. Must have had your backs patted followed by tea and cakes before the presentation of the friendly warnings!
"The Straits Times newsroom cooperated fully with the police during their investigations and accepted that there was an internal lapse that led to the Publication of the poll results," the company added.
Mr Fernandez said: "It has always been our approach that when we get something wrong, we acknowledge it, put it right and strive to do better." This is so PM Lee! :oIo:
