Singapore’s High Court orders Bloomberg and one of its reporters to pay defamation damages to two ministers after a trial tied to reporting about their property transactions. Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam and Manpower Minister Tan See Leng each receive S$230,000 (about US$177,860), according to multiple outlets. The suits stem from a Bloomberg article that discussed alleged luxury bungalow (“Good Class Bungalow”) deals and described the transactions as increasingly opaque or shrouded in secrecy. The ministers sued Bloomberg and reporter Low De Wei over claims they said damaged their reputations. The court’s decision is widely described as a significant test of Singapore’s libel laws. Coverage notes that the ministers portray the action as aimed at protecting their integrity and the standing of their offices. Bloomberg’s editor-in-chief John Micklethwait says the company is disappointed with the ruling but will respect it. After the judgment, Shanmugam and Tan say they plan to donate the damages to charity.
Singapore High Court orders Bloomberg to pay damages in ministers’ defamation case
Singapore’s High Court orders Bloomberg and one of its reporters to pay defamation damages to two ministers after a trial tied to reporting about their property transactions. Home Affairs Minister K....
14 sources
3 months ago
33 views
Key Points
- Singapore’s High Court finds Bloomberg and its reporter liable in a defamation case brought by Ministers K. Shanmugam and Tan See Leng.
- The court orders damages of S$230,000 (about US$177,860) to each minister.
- The case relates to a Bloomberg report about alleged Good Class Bungalow property transactions connected to the ministers.
- The ministers file separate suits and argue the reporting harmed their reputations and the standing of their offices.
- Bloomberg says it is disappointed with the ruling but indicates it will respect it; the ministers say they will donate the damages to charity.
How Outlets Covered This Story
THE
The Straits Times
Bloomberg defamation case about malicious targeting, not freedom of press: Shanmugam, Tan See Leng
3 months ago
THE
The Diplomat
Bloomberg Ordered to Pay $357,000 in Damages After Losing Singapore Defamation Case
3 months ago
COM
Committee to Protect Journalists
CPJ warns Bloomberg defamation ruling could chill reporting in Singapore
3 months ago
TIM
THE
The Guardian - Main
Singapore court orders Bloomberg to pay ministers $356,000 in defamation case
3 months ago
JER
Jerusalem Post
Singapore court orders Bloomberg, reporter, to pay $356,000 for defaming ministers
3 months ago
SOU
South China Morning Post
Singapore ministers to donate Bloomberg defamation damages to charity
3 months ago
CHA
Channel NewsAsia (CNA)
Shanmugam and Tan See Leng to donate Bloomberg damages to charity, say defamation suit was about protecting integrity
3 months ago
THE
The Straits Times
Defamation suit against Bloomberg, reporter to protect standing of offices: Shanmugam, Tan See Leng
3 months ago
FRE
Free Malaysia Today
Bloomberg ordered to pay defamation damages to Singaporean ministers
3 months ago
IND
NDT
THE
BBC
BBC News - World
Singapore court orders Bloomberg to pay $356,000 to ministers in defamation case
3 months ago
BLO
SOU
South China Morning Post
Singapore ministers each awarded US$177,860 in damages in Bloomberg defamation suit
3 months ago
THE
The Straits Times
Bloomberg defamation suit: Shanmugam, Tan See Leng each awarded $230k in damages
3 months ago
CHA
Channel NewsAsia (CNA)
Bloomberg, reporter ordered to pay Shanmugam, Tan See Leng S$230,000 each in damages over defamatory article
3 months ago
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