Singapore refuses to renew foreign journalist’s visa
New York, November 19, 2009—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the Singapore government’s refusal to renew British freelance journalist Benjamin Bland’s work visa and its rejection of his application to cover the recently concluded Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit meeting. Bland had planned to report on the summit for the U.K.
Bland’s visa renewal application was rejected without explanation by the Manpower Ministry on October 1, according to Bland. When the reporter inquired why the government refused, the ministry’s senior assistant director, Yeo Kim Huat, told him on October 15 that, after internal discussions, officials decided that they could not disclose their reasons for the rejection.
From 'Ben Bland -- The Asia File' on 21 Oct 2009:
"I'd like to thank all my readers and assure you that I will be back blogging with a vengeance once my involuntary departure is complete."
Good on you Ben! I hope you do take this personally and whack the bastards back. Kick 'em in the nuts!
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