SPH apologises to ex-TRS editor for defamatory article, pays undisclosed sum

SINGAPORE — Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) has paid an undisclosed sum to one of the former editors of the now-defunct socio-political website The Real Singapore (TRS), over a defamatory article published in The New Paper, and published an apology in the newspaper on Monday (Feb 29).

The article — titled “They own posh unit, says S’porean student” — ran in the newspaper on March 4, 2015, alleging that Mr Robin Yang Kaiheng fell out with a friend’s sister over finances after starting a business, and he owned an apartment in Australia.

Apart from Mr Yang, Ms Ai Takagi was the other former editor of TRS. 

The apology stated that Mr Yang had informed the newspaper that he “regards as defamatory, some of the statements in the article that could be understood to mean that he is of dishonest character and/or conducts his business dealings in a manner that lacks probity”. 

“We apologise for any embarrassment or distress caused by the publication of the statements,” the apology read. 

SPH did not want to respond to TODAY’s queries. 

The Facebook page of Takagi Ramen Shop, which reportedly has links to the former TRS editors, posted the published apology, saying it was carried on the press group’s three media platforms: The New Paper, AsiaOne and STOMP.

Mr Yang’s lawyer Choo Zheng Xi declined to comment on the specific terms of the out-of-court settlement fee. “The apology speaks for itself,” he said.