12 Quotes by PN Balji

Those who tried to demonstrate some form of independence and fairness in their reporting and editing have paid a high price. The Straits Times editor, Han Fook Kwang, was sidelined and made managing editor after a rare display of fairness in political journalism when he gave the Opposition, especially the Workers’ Party, more editorial space than what was allocated during previous elections.

The ruling party appeared to regard elections as something of an irritation, a statutory nuisance that should be gotten over with quickly and surgically.

How, I asked, would people debate freely if the fear factor hung over conversations that some deemed controversial? I concluded: “As long as the government is perceived as Big Brother waiting to pounce on those who are critical of policies, and as long as the talented and the bright imagine a conspiracy at every corner, you tell me, how to become a world-class country?

Will the Singapore government be amenable to this type of journalism, as it had spoken out publicly on many occasions against mixing news with analysis and comment; the separation of news and analysis and comment had to be like that between church and state.

Cheong genuinely believed that being pro-government was nothing to be ashamed of. I read his book as a reminder to new ministers and new editors that the relationship was a special and delicate one needing mutual respect. That is why he gave some examples of the difficult negotiations and the give-and-take with the government. He feared that it was becoming a more one-way subservient relationship.

Peter’s management style was very different from that of his predecessors. He was a listener, always ready to hear out his journalists when they approached him. He ran an open and transparent newsroom and believed in the principle that government and media should not be one. There should be a line, no matter how thin, between the two. He believed the PAP was good for Singapore, but not that all its actions were correct.

In a private setting, Leslie and Minister for Information and the Arts George Yeo engaged in a debate over the issue, with George Yeo finally declaring that the government would defend its Members of Parliament even if they were wrong.

These editors didn’t face a kinder, gentler government. But they grew up in journalism with a stronger sense that the press was not part of the establishment. My generation benefited from having supervisors who had that instinct.

Leaving while you are at the top of your game puts your life in your own hands rather than your employer’s, he explains.