A recent Pew Research study sparks debate over free speech in Singapore, highlighting concerns about self-censorship.
SINGAPORE: A recent study by US-based think tank Pew Research Center has revealed that 41% of Singaporeans believe people should not be allowed to publicly criticise the government. This figure stands out sharply when compared to other regions: only 13% of South Koreans, 11% of Taiwanese, and 15% of Hong Kongers share this sentiment. Malaysia comes closest to Singapore’s number, with 36% holding the same view.
Countries like Taiwan and South Korea have the highest percentage of adults (83%) supporting the right to publicly criticise their government, followed by Hong Kong (81%) and Indonesia (75%). Singapore, at 55%, has the lowest support for critical speech in the region.
Activist Kirsten Han highlighted the findings in a Facebook post on Tuesday (July 16), calling the statistics a “big cringe for Singapore.” She emphasized the specific phrasing of the study, pointing out that it referred to whether people “should not BE ABLE TO publicly criticise the government,” rather than whether they simply should or shouldn’t.
Han added wryly, “Even the ruling People’s Action Party doesn’t go that far (not on the record, anyway). We really here ownself oppress ownself.”
Public Reaction
Commenters on Han’s post expressed surprise and dismay at the findings. One wrote, “They seem to have successfully eroded the concept that elected officials are public servants and answerable to the electorate.” Another referred to Han’s comment on self-censorship, saying the data illustrates a culture of “ownself oppress ownself.”
Others observed how Singapore continues to garner admiration globally despite its apparent restrictions on free speech. One user shared an article from The Economist titled “Singapore’s foreign admirers see only the stuff they like”, suggesting international praise often overlooks domestic limitations.
Regional Context
The study underscores that East Asian countries, such as Taiwan and South Korea, tend to support free speech more than their South and Southeast Asian counterparts, including Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand.
Despite this, the majority of respondents in these countries still support the right to publicly criticise their governments. For instance, 55% of Singaporeans believe in this freedom, even as the country grapples with limited freedom of expression and press.
The findings have reignited discussions about self-censorship and the balance between governance and civil liberties in Singapore’s tightly regulated society.
