PM Lee calls for responsible journalism which will help improve the lives of people

Mr Lee was speaking at the 7th Asian-European Editors' Forum.
Citing Japan, Mr Lee said that it has been very successful at improving people's lives without an aggressive media.
He said: "Their approach is different from the Western one but it suits Japan's culture and circumstances and has contributed to Japan's success. As with the political system, in the media too, each country will have to evolve its own model of the media that works for it."
Mr Lee said that even in this Internet age, there will still be a role for serious journalism.
That's because people still want information sources which are reliable and insightful.
Using Singapore as an example, Mr Lee said that the government manages the Internet with a light touch but still applies the same defamation and sedition laws to it.
And the government is mindful of the increasing impact of the new and changing technology.
Mr Lee said: "Our position will evolve as we feel our way forward, but we do not believe that we should just drift with the tide. We still need anchor points that reflect our values, our vulnerabilities and our ambitions.
"The media in Singapore must adapt to these changes, do their best to stay relevant and continue to contribute constructively to nation building."
As economies develop, Mr Lee emphasised the need for good governance.
Mr Lee added that as new generations come of age, they will want to have more say in their countries' affairs.
"Leaders must be able to respond creatively to this new situation and political systems must evolve to remain effective. Each country, including Singapore, will have to make changes in its own way and strike its own point of balance, taking into account its unique circumstances," he said.
Mr Lee said Asian countries face major challenges despite the positive economic outlook.
But groupings like ASEAN and the Asia-Europe Summit Meetings can help establish greater relations and encourage dialogues.
Mr Lee said: "ASEAN aims to be the centre of these networks of cooperation both within Asia, between Asia and Europe, as well as the Pacific with the US. But to play this role, ASEAN must also be a strong and cohesive organisation, able to partner China and India effectively."
Mr Lee was addressing some 40 international editors from countries like China and France.
When asked during a question and answer session about Temasek Holdings' deal with ShinCorp, Mr Lee said it was a commercial decision which also reflected Singapore's confidence in Thailand's economy.
He added that Temasek complied with the rules and requirements of Thailand when inking the deal.
On Mr Lee wanting to build a more open society, a German editor asked why that was not reflected in Singapore's treatment towards civil society organisations during the International Monetary Fund-World Bank Meetings here recently.
Mr Lee said Singapore allows views to be articulated, at the same time, ensuring a stable and honest political system.
He explained why certain civil society representatives were barred from entering Singapore, citing one who had run-ins with the law in other countries.
He said: "There was one chap who had broken into the World Bank offices in Washington and stolen confidential documents and had gone to Seattle and broken some other laws. And he had every intention of coming here to do no good.
"Why should I allow him in? So we said, these, we have to vet one by one. It became an issue so we said, 'all right, if you vouch for them, I'll let most of them in but these last 5, I want to make absolutely sure they're not going to cause trouble here'. I think that's quite reasonable.
"I don't mind anybody coming to have a dialogue, debate, conversation. But I don't see why I should have a riot as happened in Prague in 2000 or in Hong Kong in 2005, last year, at the WTO Meeting. That's not democracy." - CNA/ir

//evaluation//
-erm...fret not, I think the media here is very loyal to the govt. haha.
so there will still be the so-called "responsible media" for years to come... that is discounting online media and printed newsletters by WP and CSJ.
-oh..sure we are all so lucky to have such a kind govt who protects our peace and stability so much... but one wonders if such policy has made s'poreans become frogs in the well...
-as stated, riot is not equal to democracy? hmm... then it means that we are the best example of democracy?