Title: The Mediacorp Contempt of Court Incident: An Examination of the Pritam Singh Interview and its Implications for Free Speech and Judicial Authority in Singapore
Abstract:
This paper examines the controversy surrounding Mediacorp’s interview with Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh, which was deemed to be in contempt of court by the Attorney-General’s Chambers. The interview, aired on November 5, 2025, contained comments made by Mr. Singh regarding his conviction related to the Raeesah Khan case. Following notification from the AGC, Mediacorp apologized and removed the interview from its platforms, citing its acceptance that the publication was in contempt of court. This incident raises important questions about the balance between free speech and judicial authority in Singapore, as well as the role of media in reporting on court proceedings. This paper provides a detailed analysis of the incident, its implications, and the broader context of contempt of court laws in Singapore.
Introduction:
The relationship between the media, the judiciary, and the government is complex and multifaceted. In Singapore, the Contempt of Court Act governs the publication of material that may be deemed to be in contempt of court. The Act aims to maintain the dignity and authority of the court, while also ensuring that individuals and media organizations do not prejudice or interfere with the administration of justice. On November 5, 2025, Mediacorp, a Singaporean media conglomerate, aired an interview with Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh on its television program, The Assembly. The interview, which was recorded in July 2025, contained comments made by Mr. Singh regarding his conviction related to the Raeesah Khan case.
Background:
Pritam Singh, the Leader of the Opposition, was found guilty by the Magistrate’s Court in February 2025 of lying on oath to the Committee of Privileges. He appealed the conviction, and the appeal was heard on November 4, 2025, with the court reserving its judgment. The interview with Mr. Singh, which was aired on November 5, 2025, contained comments regarding the case, which were deemed to be in contempt of court by the Attorney-General’s Chambers.
The Contempt of Court Incident:
Following notification from the AGC, Mediacorp apologized and removed the interview from its platforms, citing its acceptance that the publication was in contempt of court. In a statement, Mediacorp said, “We wholly and unreservedly apologise to the court. We have taken down the interview from our platforms and channels and will avoid publishing matters that are in contempt of court in future.” The incident raises important questions about the balance between free speech and judicial authority in Singapore.
Implications:
The Mediacorp contempt of court incident has significant implications for free speech and judicial authority in Singapore. The incident highlights the tension between the media’s role in reporting on court proceedings and the need to maintain the dignity and authority of the court. The Contempt of Court Act is designed to prevent the publication of material that may prejudice or interfere with the administration of justice. However, the Act must also be balanced against the need for a free and independent media to report on court proceedings and hold those in power accountable.
Analysis:
The Mediacorp contempt of court incident is not an isolated event. In recent years, there have been several high-profile cases in Singapore involving contempt of court. These cases have highlighted the complexities and challenges of balancing free speech and judicial authority in the city-state. The incident also raises questions about the role of media in reporting on court proceedings and the need for greater transparency and accountability in the judicial system.
Conclusion:
The Mediacorp contempt of court incident is a significant event that highlights the complexities and challenges of balancing free speech and judicial authority in Singapore. The incident raises important questions about the role of media in reporting on court proceedings, the need for greater transparency and accountability in the judicial system, and the balance between free speech and judicial authority. As Singapore continues to evolve and grow, it is essential that the city-state strikes a balance between maintaining the dignity and authority of the court and ensuring that the media is free to report on court proceedings and hold those in power accountable.
Recommendations:
Based on the analysis of the Mediacorp contempt of court incident, several recommendations can be made:
Review of the Contempt of Court Act: The Contempt of Court Act should be reviewed to ensure that it is balanced and proportionate, and that it does not unduly restrict free speech or the media’s ability to report on court proceedings.
Greater transparency and accountability: The judicial system should be more transparent and accountable, with greater access to court documents and proceedings.
Media training and education: Media organizations and journalists should receive training and education on contempt of court laws and the importance of maintaining the dignity and authority of the court.
Balancing free speech and judicial authority: The balance between free speech and judicial authority should be carefully considered, with a view to ensuring that the media is free to report on court proceedings and hold those in power accountable, while also maintaining the dignity and authority of the court.
Future Research Directions:
The Mediacorp contempt of court incident highlights the need for further research on the balance between free speech and judicial authority in Singapore. Future research directions could include:
A comparative study of contempt of court laws: A comparative study of contempt of court laws in different jurisdictions could provide insights into best practices and approaches to balancing free speech and judicial authority.
An examination of the impact of social media: An examination of the impact of social media on contempt of court laws and the dissemination of information about court proceedings could provide insights into the challenges and opportunities of the digital age.
A study of media reporting on court proceedings: A study of media reporting on court proceedings could provide insights into the ways in which the media reports on court cases and the impact of this reporting on the administration of justice.