RSF ranked the thriving city-state 140th out of 167 countries in its 2005 annual press freedom index, alongside the likes of Azerbaijan (141), Bhutan (142), Egypt (143) and Syria (145).

North Korea was again at the bottom of the list. Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway and Switzerland had the most favourable ratings.

"We do not agree with RSF's press freedom ranking of Singapore but they are entitled to their opinion," the Ministry of Information Communication and the Arts (MICA) said in a statement.

"Contrary to RSF's press freedom ranking of Singapore, our globalised economy thrives on a free flow of information," it added, noting that the island-state hosts 190 correspondents from 72 foreign media organisations.

There are also 15 satellite broadcasters based here and 1.7 million out of its four million population have access to the Internet, it said.

"The Press Freedom Index drawn up is based largely on a different media model which favours the advocacy and adversarial role of the press," it said, adding that Singapore has a different media model.

While the government encourages diverse views on national issues, local media has to be "sensitive" to the ethnically diverse country's "need to preserve racial and religious harmony".

Singapore was rocked by bloody racial riots in the 1960s and the government has taken a strong stand against comments on race and religion.

RSF attibuted Singapore's ranking to the absence of independent newspapers as well as radio and TV stations, the application of prison sentences for press offences and self-censorship by journalists.

It also noted the lack of access by the political opposition to the pro-government media.

Media watchdogs have routinely criticised Singapore for what they say are curbs on freedom of expression, and opposition groups have complained they are not given the same access to the media compared with the ruling People's Action Party.

Last month, the Bangkok-based Southeast Asian Press Alliance urged Singapore police to stop an investigation into filmmaker Martyn See, who made a documentary on opposition leader Chee Soon Juan.

Local censors say the documentary violated the Films Act because of its political content.

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