Free speech and Singapore’s critics

Apart from feeling outraged that anyone should be jailed for making stupid remarks the Liam Stacey case reinforced my conviction on the critics of Singapore (see 24 March post). Stacey was incarcerated for 56 days for making racist comments against Fabrice Muamba, the Bolton Wanderers footballer who recently had a heart attack, on Twitter. Anyone who supports free speech should clearly uphold the right of anyone to make offensive comments. I did not notice any of those who criticise Singapore for its conformism or authoritarianism coming forward to defend free speech in this case.