Media freedom in Singapore continued to be constrained in 2010, with the vast majority of print and broadcast journalists practicing self-censorship for fear of harsh defamation charges. The November 16 sentencing of British author Alan Shadrake on contempt of court charges for a book criticizing the nation's use of capital punishment seemed to substantiate claims that Singapore's government routinely uses the judiciary as a means of going after its critics. The media also face harsh punishments for perceived personal attacks on government officials. As suggested by the case of Shadrake, the Singapore judiciary lacks independence and systematically returns verdicts in the government's favor, further undermining press freedom in the city-state. The 2010 publication of Shadrake's book Once a Jolly Hangman: Singapore Justice in the Dock, which questioned the impartiality and independence of Singapore's courts in applying the death sentence, led to his arrest in July and a sente! nce of six weeks in prison with a 20000 Singapore dollars (US$15400) fine for "scandalizing the court" in November. Authorities indicated in news reports that they were still considering additional criminal defamation charges at year's end. Singapore's Parliament has been dominated by the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) since 1959, and ruling party members are quick to use harsh civil and criminal defamation laws to silence and bankrupt political opponents and critical media outlets. Foreign media
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