Singapore, 1 September 2006 - Singapore Press Holdings has appealed to the Chinese government for clemency and compassion to be shown to Straits Times journalist Ching Cheong who was sentenced yesterday to five years in prison.

Straits Times Editor Han Fook Kwang handed the letter of appeal addressed to Chinese Premier Mr Wen Jiabao this morning at the Chinese Embassy. The letter was received by the Deputy Chief of Mission and Minister Counsellor, Mr Huang Yong.

SPH's main concern is Ching Cheong's health and well being and we hope the Chinese government will consider our appeal favourably.

Please see attached appeal letter in English and Chinese.

13KB		Appeal Letter in English please click here.
63KB		Appeal Letter in Chinese please click here.

Issued by Singapore Press Holdings Limited
Co. Regn. No: 198402868E

For more information, please contact:

Ms Carole Chow
Assistant Manager
Corporate Communications
DID : (65) 6319 1586
Fax : (65) 6319 8150
Email : cchow@sph.com.sg

or

Mr Francis Mah
Assistant Manager
Corporate Communications
DID : (65) 6319 1028
Fax : (65) 6319 8150
Email :mahys@sph.com.sg

About Singapore Press Holdings Limited
Main board listed Singapore Press Holdings Limited is the leading media company in Singapore, in the print, Internet and broadcasting platforms. It publishes 14 newspapers in the four official languages, including Singapore's first free Chinese newspaper, My Paper, and over 80 magazine titles. Everyday, 2.7 million individuals, or 83 per cent of the people above 15 years old, read one of the SPH publications. Its Internet Business Unit manages the online editions of SPH's major newspapers, which enjoy over 100 million pageviews from 6 million unique visitors every month. More recent online additions are the classified website, ST701, and STOMP (Straits Times Online Mobile Print), a portal that connects, engages and interacts with readers on the Internet and via mobile messaging.

SPH also owns a 20% stake in MediaCorp TV Holdings Pte Ltd, which operates free-to-air channels 5, 8, U and TV Mobile, and a 40% stake in MediaCorp Press Pte Ltd, which publishes free sheet Today. SPH has a 70% stake in UnionWorks, which operates two entertainment radio channels, Radio 100.3 in Chinese and Radio 91.3 in English. In addition, SPH holds an 80% stake in SPH MediaBoxOffice Pte Ltd, Singapore’s largest LED network media company, and a 35% stake in TOM Outdoor Media Group, a leading outdoor advertising company in China.