Singapore printer refuses to print Charlie Hebdo's latest cover in The Economist magazine

Readers of The Economist magazine in Singapore would find a blank page in the latest edition of the magazine.

The page was meant to publish a picture of French magazine Charlie Hebdo's latest cover, but the magazine's local printer refused to do so, local media reported on Friday.

The 22th page of the magazine was left with nothing but two words "Page Missing", Lianhe Zaobao reported. The Economist explained that it was because their local printer in Singapore refused to print the latest cover of Charlie Hebdo, which depicts Prophet Muhammad shedding a single tear and holding up a sign reading "Je Suis Charlie" (I am Charlie).

Times Printers, who prints the magazine, said in a media statement on Friday that The Economist told them that it had decided to publish the cover in their Britain, Asia, United States and Europe editions, and asked the printer to let them know if it had any concerns, the Strait Times reported.

"We consulted and registered our concerns with The Economist. After deliberation, The Economist sent out a replacement page to us which we have printed accordingly," the statement said.

Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister of Communications and Information on the same day said that he appreciated the printer's decision.

"There is no such thing as freedom of expression without limits. .. The right to speak freely and sensitively must come together," said Yaacob.

The Media Development Authority (MDA) also embranced the magazine's decision. "This shows our industry's understanding of the sensitivities involved, as well as their respect for racial and religious harmony in Singapore," it said. Endi