AGC issues warning to WP chief and Mediacorp for contempt of court over CNA interview

Mr Pritam Singh and Mediacorp were on Dec 19 issued warning letters by the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) for contempt of court over the Workers' Party leader's interview with CNA programme The Assembly.

- Daniel Lai

Mediacorp is CNA's parent company.

In the interview, the AGC said that Mr Singh who is also the Leader of the Opposition made statements about a court case in which he had been found guilty in February.

The interview was recorded in July, after Mr Singh had appealed against his conviction, the AGC noted.

Mr Singh and Mediacorp issued apologies separately on Dec 13, with the media organisation also taking down the interview after being told by the AGC that it was in contempt of court.

In the Dec 19 statement, the AGC said: "Having considered all the circumstances of the case, including the apologies, the Attorney-General has decided to issue Mr Singh and Mediacorp with warnings.

"Contempt of court impedes the proper administration of justice in Singapore. Left unchecked, such conduct can erode respect for our judicial institutions and their decisions."

According to the AGC website, contempt of court can be classified into two broad categories: contempt by interference and contempt by disobedience.