Straits Times named Ris Low’s photo as “sg-stupid.jpg”

September 30th, 2009 |

From our Correspondent

The digital edition of the Straits Times has labelled one of the photos of ex-Miss Singapore World 2009 Miss Ris Low as “sg-stupid.jpg”!

The Straits Times has been conducting a media witch-hunt on Ris Low and the organizer of the pageant ERM World since SPH journalists dug out her past conviction last Friday.

To ensure that Straits Times does not try to wriggle its way out by changing the name of the photo later, we have taken a snapshot here:

Straits Times Photo link:

http://www.straitstimes.com/STI/STIMEDIA/image/20090925/sg-stupid.jpg

What exactly does Straits Times mean by “sg-stupid”? Is it casting aspersions on the intelligence of Miss Ris Low by labelling her photo as such?

It is utterly despicable, disgusting and disgraceful for a supposedly professional national English Daily like the Straits Times to give such a derogatory name to the photo of a person.

Though Miss Low may not be blessed with impeccable command of the English language and she had a history of a psychiatric disorder, it doesn’t mean that she is less intelligent than the average Singaporean.

Even if it is really so, the media has no right to shame her in front of the public. The journalist responsible for naming and uploading the photo should issue a public apology to Miss Low and the public.

Miss Low should consult her lawyers to see if there are any legal grounds for suing the Straits Times for libel. She is still young and has a long way to go in her life.

The Singapore media should let her off and stop harrassing her like some public enemy when there are more pressing issues like hand to deal with.

Unlike some public officials, Ris Low did not cause the deaths of any person nor did she lose billions of taxpayers’ monies. When asked about her past conviction, she was perfectly open and candid about it. She also expressed her remorse over her mistakes and seek forgiveness from Singaporeans.

Did any of our millionaire ministers apologize for their mistakes? Instead of chasing after the people of real importance, the Singapore media found fit to bully a defenceless young girl whose only mistake is to sign up for Miss Singapore World without revealing her past convictions to the organizers.