Dear Mr Tan

We would like to express our great disappointment at your Morning Express Show aired today with DJs Glenn Ong, Rod Montiero and the Flying Dutchman.

The programme was riddled with inaccuracies and misinformation where the DJs stated that killing of animals was responsible - the Cull'Em Cull'Em poem was tasteless, that cats could be sent over to Peru or China, where they are eaten (incidentally this was stopped by animal groups over there) and that cats should be drowned en masse.

We realise this programme may have been meant to be humourous and tongue-in-cheek, but advocating cruelty and killing of animals is stepping over the line and is not a laughing matter. If your DJs had bothered to actually check the facts about the vast amount of work being done and programmes that have already been planned but not yet executed they would have done the public a great service by educating them on this complicated and sensitive issue.

Making “fun” of and trivialising the issues exposes the ignorance and irreverence of those involved and questions their suitability as broadcast journalists who have a responsibility to disseminate accurate, well-researched information. We would like to point out that many children also listen to the programme and it would be a shame if they were given the message that cruelty to animals is “funny” when it is a actually a crime. The DJs were also disrespectful and rude to an innocent caller, questioning her sanity after she was off the line and had no chance to reply. Is this how your radio station treats their listening public?

We also believe that your DJs should verify the credentials of whom they quote because the “vet” they quoted is not known to the Agri Food and Veterinary Authority and is not registered with the Singapore Veterinary Association. We will be forwarding you a letter signed by other licensed vets stating that his views are not those of the majority of vets in Singapore.

We hope that the DJs in question will clarify on air their inflammatory statements made today at the soonest opportunity. They can email us at info@catwelfare.org We hope that they will be reminded to do their proper research and ascertain the facts instead of misleading the public with highly questionable 'information'.

Thank you

Yours sincerely

Dawn Kua (MS)
Director of Operations
Cat Welfare Society

From: Bernard Lim To:
Sent: Thursday, May 29, 2003 11:21 AM
Subject: [cat_welfare] Feedback on the Class95 Morning Express (27May)


Dear Ms Kua

a) Class 95FM had no intention to misrepresent anything or cause any anxiety. Least of all, advocate animal cruelty. We realize from the many complaints we have received that certain impressions were created amongst listeners. We apologize for the unintended distress.

b) As the Top English Radio station in Singapore, Class95 has to be mindful of the possible sensitivities that may arise as a result of any hot discussion topic. We do try to ensure that different views are presented.

c) That morning, the morning team did articulate 3 contrasting views on the subject. The Flying Dutchman suggested that we set up a cats' park to house these stray cats, Rod Monteiro, being an animal lover himself (which he admitted to many times on-air in the course of the morning), is against the culling of cats, while Glenn Ong is for the culling of cats, which was a practice that had already taken place with the Agri Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA).

d) All 3 views were constantly reiterated throughout the show, and it was unfortunate that the part about the culling of cats was so salient to listeners. We should have anticipated that sensitivity.

e) The facts and figures were actually taken from the morning papers, as was the reference to Dr John James.

f) We apologize again and hope that listeners like yourself will continue to tune in to, support, and give us feedback on Class 95 and our other MediaCorp Radio stations.

Thank you.

Regards
Bernard Lim
Senior Assistant Vice President
English Programming
MediaCorp Radio