"Deputy Senior State Counsel Hema Subramaniam, acting for the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC), said on Wednesday the 75-year-old writer and journalist had shown blatant disregard for the judicial system in Singapore.
She said: "No clearer or more egregious example of scandalising the court can be found."
Shadrake is contesting the charges and his lawyer Mr M Ravi argued the contents were conclusions that could be drawn by an average man.
Mr Ravi added fair criticism must be looked at from a broader scope and this would will help strengthen confidence in the judiciary."
REPORTER NG JING YNG; SINGAPORE NEWS;
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BACKGROUND: The 75-year-old free-lance British journalist was arrested by Singapore authorities in July, 2010, on criminal charges in connection with his new book, "Once a Jolly Hangman: Singapore Justice in the Dock," and then held overnight before being released.
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"SINGAPORE: Lawyers of British author Alan Shadrake argued on the final day of hearing that statements made in Shadrake's book were fair criticisms made in the interest of the public," the Singapore News story by reporter Ng Jing Yng published earlier today begins, under the heading, "British author Shadrake's comments "fair criticisms", say his lawyers."
""Shadrake faces contempt of court charges over his book "Once A Jolly Hangman: Singapore Justice in the Dock," the story continues.
"Deputy Senior State Counsel Hema Subramaniam, acting for the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC), said on Wednesday the 75-year-old writer and journalist had shown blatant disregard for the judicial system in Singapore.
She said: "No clearer or more egregious example of scandalising the court can be found."
Shadrake is contesting the charges and his lawyer Mr M Ravi argued the contents were conclusions that could be drawn by an average man.
Mr Ravi added fair criticism must be looked at from a broader scope and this would will help strengthen confidence in the judiciary.
Earlier, Ms Subramaniam told the court that Shadrake should not be seen as "an average man who reads newspaper(s) at the kopitiam" but as an international investigative journalist who does detailed research and has access to court judgments.
She added Shadrake's position as a journalist invited people to trust that what he wrote was reliable and he should be looked at on that standard.
Besides contempt of court charges, which is punishable by imprisonment and/or a fine, Shadrake is under separate investigation for criminal defamation which on conviction could lead to a jail term of two years and a fine.
Shadrake's judgement is expected to be delivered next Tuesday."
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The post can be found at:
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1088273/1/.html
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PUBLISHER'S NOTE: The Toronto Star, my previous employer for more than twenty incredible years, has put considerable effort into exposing the harm caused by Dr. Charles Smith and his protectors - and into pushing for reform of Ontario's forensic pediatric pathology system. The Star has a "topic" section which focuses on recent stories related to Dr. Charles Smith. It can be accessed at:
http://www.thestar.com/topic/charlessmith
For a breakdown of some of the cases, issues and controversies this Blog is currently following, please turn to:
http://smithforensic.blogspot.com/2010/07/new-feature-cases-issues-and.html
Harold Levy: Publisher; The Charles Smith Blog; hlevy15@gmail.com;
