Under The Angsana Tree: Singapore introduces anti-fake news law

National Day Rally 2019

PM Lee "POFMA would catch you if you spread fake news about CPF withdrawal ages on social media"

At the National Day Rally 2019 yesterday (18 Aug), Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong took the opportunity to lash out at fake news circulating on social media, saying that government would be changing withdrawal policies of the Central Provident Funds or CPF withdrawal ages

In the script published on PMO’s website, PM Lee said, “Let me add one last point here, to be absolutely clear: we are not making any changes to CPF withdrawal policies or CPF withdrawal ages. You can still take out some money at age 55. And you can still start your CPF payouts from age 65.”

“All that remains exactly the same. So please ignore any rumours you may hear about this, or messages on WhatsApp, because they are fake news!”

On national TV yesterday, however, he added the following warning, “Please delete it and tell your friends. Don’t share it with more friends and confuse people because that would be fake news.” “POFMA would catch you!” he added.

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National Day Rally 2019

PM Lee Hsien Loong delivered his National Day Rally speech on 18 August 2019 at the Institute of Technical Education College Central. PM spoke in Malay and Chinese, followed by English:

As a major employer ourselves, the Government will take the lead for public officers. The Public Service will raise its Retirement and Re-employment Ages one year earlier, in 2021 instead of 2022. I encourage private sector companies which can do the same, also to do so.
All these changes – to the Retirement Age, the Re-employment Age, and the CPF rates – will support older workers to continue working longer and to be more financially independent.
Let me add one last point here, to be absolutely clear: we are not making any changes to CPF withdrawal policies or CPF withdrawal ages. You can still take out some money at age 55. And you can still start your CPF payouts from age 65. All that remains exactly the same. So please ignore any rumours you may hear about this, or messages on WhatsApp, because they are fake news!

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Fake news in Asia

To counter falsehoods aimed at ‘exploiting’ the city’s ‘fault lines’

The proposed law steps up existing powers the government has to compel news outlets to display corrections or disclaimers about falsehoods in published content

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s government on Monday offered a long-awaited anti-fake news bill in parliament that is expected to strengthen the city state’s ironhanded approach to dealing with online misinformation despite misgivings from free-speech supporters.

Among the proposed measures are penalties of up to 10 years’ jail time and S$1 million (US$738,500) in fines for the most severe cases of fake news propagation.

Legal action will be taken when the “deliberate online falsehood” meets two criteria: when there is dissemination of a false statement of fact, and when such action is deemed in the public interest, the law ministry said in a statement.

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Singapore: Reject Sweeping ‘Fake News’ Bill

Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong speaks during a press conference following the 33rd ASEAN summit in Singapore, Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018. © 2018 AP Photo/Yong Teck Lim

Singapore’s proposed law on “online falsehoods” is sweepingly broad and threatens to stifle discussion on websites worldwide, Human Rights Watch said today. The government should withdraw the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation bill, introduced in Parliament on April 1, 2019, and significantly revise it to comply with international protections for freedom of speech.

The proposed law would authorize Singapore to order “corrections” to online content hosted anywhere in the world if a minister determines that a statement is false in whole or in part, that it is being communicated in Singapore, and that it is in the public interest to issue such a correction. The bill defines public interest broadly to include protecting Singapore’s “friendly relations” with other countries; preventing the diminution of public confidence in the government, any statutory board or part of the government; or protecting “public tranquillity.” The proposed law provides no guidance on how the minister will make a determination whether a statement is true or false or what standards are to be used in doing so.

“Singapore’s ministers should not have the power to single handedly decree what is true and what is false,” said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director. “Given Singapore’s long history of prohibiting speech critical of the government, its policies or its officials, its professed concerns about ‘online falsehoods’ and alleged election manipulation are farcical.”

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AIC statement on the Singapore Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Bill (1 April 2019)

The Asia Internet Coalition (“AIC”) supports the Singapore Government’s goals of protecting social cohesion, harmony, and the integrity of institutions and political processes.

However, we are deeply disappointed by the lack of meaningful opportunities for public consultation during the drafting process of this bill, given the significant implications it could have for diverse stakeholders, including industry, media and civil society, in Singapore, the region and internationally.

We reiterate our position, which echoes that of many experts around the world, that prescriptive legislation should not be the first solution in addressing what is a highly nuanced and complex issue.

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Singapore Government rejects Human Rights Watch's criticisms of new law targeting online falsehoods

The Government rejected Human Rights Watch's (HRW) criticisms on Wed (Apr 3) that the new Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Bill would "excessively restrict online freedom of speech".

The Bill was tabled in Parliament on Monday and sets out the tools available when falsehoods surface, such as issuing correction directions or, in more serious cases, take-down orders.

In response to the proposed law, HRW published an online post on Wed outlining various criticisms of the Bill, including that elements of the Bill were vague and that certain provisions under the law could be abused and used to silence people instead.

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Singapore's 'fake news' bill is bad news for Facebook

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said he welcomed more regulation of big tech, but he probably didn't mean this.

A new bill in Singapore -- which had its first reading Monday -- would give the government sweeping new powers to crack down on so-called "fake news" and hit Facebook and other social media companies with big fines if they don't comply with censorship orders.

Under the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Bill, it will be illegal to spread "false statements of fact" in Singapore, where that information is "prejudicial" to Singapore's security, public safety, "public tranquility," or to the "friendly relations of Singapore with other countries," among numerous other topics.

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3 key things you need to know about Singapore’s potential law on fake news

The Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Bill only penalises falsehoods, and will allow opinions, criticisms, satire and parody. Pexels

Singapore introduced its first Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Bill on Monday (April 1), which Parliament is set to debate in the coming months.

The proposed law is meant to protect Singapore from societal damage caused by falsehoods spread by “malicious actors”, The Straits Times (ST) quoted the Ministry of Law as saying.

This includes fake news that compromises Singapore’s international relations and racial and religious harmony, or that influences election outcomes. Business Insider rounded up three key things you need to know about the potential new law:

Those who spread fake news online could be jailed for up to 10 years
A Minister will decide if what you write is a falsehood
You can still voice opinions and criticise the Government, as long as you avoid fake claims

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Facebook, rights groups hit out at Singapore's fake news bill

A 3D plastic representation of the Facebook logo is seen in this illustration in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina, May 13, 2015. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic

Singapore submitted wide-ranging fake news legislation in parliament on Monday, stoking fears from internet firms and human rights groups that it may give the government too much power and hinder freedom of speech.

The law would require social media sites like Facebook to carry warnings on posts the government deems false and remove comments against "public interest".

The move came two days after Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg said governments should play a more active role in regulating the online platform.

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Singapore to introduce anti-fake news law, allowing removal of articles

Social media sites are expected to be under increased pressure to implement the law. Photograph: Thomas White/Reuters

Singapore is set to introduce a new anti-fake news law, allowing authorities in the city-state to remove articles deemed to breach government regulations.

The law, being read in parliament today, will stoke fears that Singapore’s authoritarian government will further stifle dissent in an already tightly-controlled media environment.

Facebook, Twitter and Google have Asia headquarters in Singapore, with the companies expected to be under increased pressure to aid the law’s implementation.

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Singapore Plans Law to Fight False News, but Critics Fear Repression

Journalists working during the summit meeting between President Trump and the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, in Singapore last year.CreditCreditChris McGrath/Getty Images

Singapore introduced draft legislation on Monday that it said would combat false or misleading information on the internet, but critics said the measure could be used as a cudgel against the government’s critics.

The legislation, called the Protection From Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Bill, would require websites to run corrections alongside “online falsehoods” and would “cut off profits” of sites that spread misinformation, among other measures, according to the Ministry of Law.

The bill is widely expected to become law in the coming weeks because it has support from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s People’s Action Party, which has a supermajority in Parliament.

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Singapore to Demand That Facebook, Twitter and Google Fix Fake News

Tech giants such as Facebook Inc., Alphabet Inc.’s Google and Twitter Inc. would be required under a draft law introduced Monday in Singapore to immediately issue corrections of false information published on their platforms and inform users when they might have been exposed to inaccuracies.

The legislation is some of the most potentially sweeping anywhere against so-called "fake news’’ and would set a precedent for the global issue, which has seen a backlash against social media Facebook, Twitter and Google.

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Singapore Isn’t Waiting for Facebook to Crack Down on Fake News

Commercial buildings in the central business district are reflected on a pond in Singapore. Photographer: Nicky Loh/Bloomberg

Singapore plans to introduce tough new laws to hold online outlets accountable for the spread of fake news, joining countries around the world in putting pressure on companies like Facebook Inc. to address the issue.

The new measures will require online sites to show corrections to false or misleading claims and take down falsehoods, according to a bill put forward in Parliament on Monday by the government. Account restriction directions can be issued to a platform to disable a fake account or bot that spreads a falsehood undermining the public interest, the government said in parliament. These directions can be appealed in a court.

The bill also intends to impose criminal sanctions -- including fines of up to S$1 million ($740,000) and 10 years in prison -- against those who spread an online falsehood with intent to prejudice the public interest, and those who make a bot to spread an online falsehood. The sanctions will also apply to anyone providing services for the purpose of spreading falsehoods in return for a reward.

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Singapore introduces Bill to fight fake news

Singapore introduced legislation on Monday that aims to prevent the spread of fake news, and if passed, would place more responsibility onto media companies to ensure fake news does not reside on their platforms.

The legislation, called the Protection From Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Bill, will require online sites to take down false information, or show corrections to false and misleading claims. The legislative changes will also enable the Singaporean government to order media platforms to disable fake accounts or bots that spread misinformation.

Orders could also be sent out to internet service providers to disable internet access to those who are found to be creating or disseminating fake news.

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Singapore seeks social media 'corrections' in proposed fake news law

Singapore submitted new fake news legislation in parliament on Monday requiring social media to carry warnings on posts it deems false and remove comments against "public interest".

The move came two days after Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg said governments should play a more active role in regulating the online platform.

Singapore, which has been run by the same political party since independence from Britain more than 50 years ago, says it is vulnerable to fake news because of its position as a global financial hub, its mixed ethnic and religious population and widespread internet access.

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Singapore prepares sweeping law to fight ‘online falsehoods’

Two women using their mobile phones at Raffles Place, the central business district area of Singapore. Nicky Loh | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Singapore is close to passing a law that could force websites to run government “correction notices” alongside content it deems false, and the new rules are likely to affect how big social media companies like Facebook and Twitter operate in the country.

Under the law, called the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Bill, the government will also be able to issue so-called “take down” orders that require the removal of content posted by social media companies, news organizations or individuals.

In most cases, the government will decide when to bring an action against something for being “false.” Websites will have the right to request a judicial review of the corrections or take-downs ordered by the government, but only after those orders are issued.

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Singapore's fake news bill poses 'risks to freedom of speech'

Singapore says it is vulnerable to fake news because of its position as a global financial hub, its mixed ethnic and religious population and widespread internet access [Edgar Su/Reuters]

Singapore's submission of wide-ranging fake news legislation in parliament has stoked fears from internet firms and human-rights groups that it may give the government too much power and hinder freedom of speech.

The law, submitted on Monday, would require social media sites such as Facebook to carry warnings on posts the government deems false and remove comments against the "public interest".

The move came two days after Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg said governments should play a more active role in regulating the online platform.

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Singapore Is the Latest Country to Propose Tough Legislation Against Fake News

Singapore's financial district is seen on Feb. 12, 2018. ROSLAN RAHMAN—AFP/Getty Images

Singaporean lawmakers introduced legislation Monday to combat fake news through holding social media sites responsible for content the government deems false. But like other countries’ attempts to regulate the scourge of disinformation spread online, the bill has prompted free speech concerns, especially within the context of the Singapore’s highly controlled media environment.

The Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Bill aims to “prevent the communication of false statements of fact” and “enable measures to be taken to counteract the effects of such communication,” according to the draft.

Under the new legislation, the government can demand that online platforms take down misinformation or publish “corrections” next to information flagged as false.

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NEW SINGAPORE LAW WOULD FORCE FACEBOOK TO ISSUE “CORRECTIONS”

On Saturday, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg penned an op-ed in The Washington Post asking governments to create new rules and regulations for the internet.

Two days later, Singapore submitted legislation in parliament designed to govern how sites such as Zuckerberg’s handle “fake news” on their platforms.

If it passes, the bill would require sites to place warnings or “corrections” alongside any posts containing false statements, and force them to remove comments that any of the nation’s ministers believe are “against the public interest.”

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'Fake News' laws around the world