Update 18 Jan 2020: SDP presented no direct data to support statement, says AGC as judge reserves verdict
A judge reserved his decision over the Singapore Democratic Party's (SDP's) appeal against correction directions by the Manpower Minister under the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA) on Friday (Jan 17).
This was after the Deputy Attorney-General, who is representing the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), began and finished his arguments charging that SDP's statements in the three offending online posts are false, that they misled readers, and "cherry-picked" data to present a narrative.
Deputy Attorney-General Hri Kumar Nair pointed out in his submissions that the opposition party has presented no direct data to support its allegation that local PMET (professionals, managers, executives and technicians) employment had gone down. He also argued that the burden of proof was on SDP to prove that its statements were true, as they are the party bringing the court action, he said in his submissions to court.
SDP argues for MOM to release data on local employment to prove the party's statements are false
The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) argued in court on Thursday (Jan 16) for the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) to release data on local PMET (professionals, managers, executives and technicians) employment, to prove that their statements are false and so settle the matter.
SDP was issued correction directions by Manpower Minister Josephine Teo over three online posts they made that referred to a purported rising trend of local PMET retrenchments. MOM said SDP's article and two Facebook posts on Singapore's population policy contained a misleading graphic and false statement of facts. It said there was no rising trend of local PMET retrenchments, and that employment of local PMETs has instead risen steadily since 2015.
However, SDP stands by its posts and says they are accurate based on what data is made available, and took to the High Court in a chamber hearing to argue their case.
Judge denies SDP application for POFMA case to be heard in open court
The Singapore Democratic Party’s (SDP) application to have its case against Manpower Minister Josephine Teo heard in open court, over the invocation of a controversial anti-fake news law, has been denied. The SDP had filed the case against Teo for three correction directives issued against it under the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulations Act (POFMA), in the first legal challenge to a POFMA directive.
Following a hearing in chambers before Justice Ang Cheng Hock on Thursday (16 January), Deputy Attorney-General Hri Kumar told reporters at the High Court that Justice Ang did not see any "special reason" to have the hearing in open court.
Asked how he felt about the decision, SDP chief Chee Soon Juan said, "It's very disappointing, but we are where we are. We have to go back in right now for our case."
Judge rejects SDP’s bid for first Pofma appeal to be heard in open court
A High Court judge on Thursday (Jan 16) morning rejected the Singapore Democratic Party’s (SDP’s) arguments for their appeal against Manpower Minister Josephine Teo’s correction direction to be heard in open court.
The case is the first court challenge against a minister’s directive since the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (Pofma) came into effect in October last year. The appeal would be heard in chambers before Justice Ang Cheng Hock on Thursday. This means that members of the public and the media are not allowed to attend.
Deputy Attorney-General Hri Kumar Nair told reporters that the Attorney-General’s Chambers — which is representing the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) — argued for the case to be heard in chambers.
Singapore’s SDP loses bid for first challenge against fake news law to be heard in open court
Singapore’s first court challenge against its anti-fake news law got under way on Thursday as an opposition party appealed against two orders to correct Facebook posts and a website article related to foreigners and employment.
The Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (Pofma), which allows ministers to order corrections on statements they determine to be false and which harm public interest, came into force in October last year and was been invoked four times in under a month, primarily on opposition figures. Last week, Singapore’s communication and information minister said this was an “unfortunate convergence or coincidence”.
The case was heard in chambers – meaning it was closed to the public and media – despite the Singapore Democratic Party’s application for it to be heard in open court. SDP secretary general Chee Soon Juan said Justice Ang Cheng Hock’s decision to hear it in chambers was “very disappointing” given the “immense public interest” in the topic.
High Court rejects SDP's application to have Pofma case heard in open court
A High Court judge has dismissed an application by the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) to have its case, challenging two corrections issued against it under the fake news law, heard in open court.
The case, in which the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) is named as respondent, continues in chambers and is not open to the public or the media.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday (Jan 16) outside the courtroom, Deputy Attorney-General Hri Kumar Nair said Justice Ang Cheng Hock had rejected SDP's application, as there was "no special reason" for the case to be heard in an open court.
SDP applies to have POFMA case against Josephine Teo heard in open court
The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), which filed a case against Minister for Manpower Josephine Teo in the High Court for three correction directives issued against it under a controversial anti-fake news law, will apply to have the case heard in open court.
The case – scheduled for Thursday at 10am – is to be heard in chambers, which is not open to members of the public and media, before Justice Ang Cheng Hock.
The party, which is unrepresented, said on Monday in a press statement, “Given that the matter has drawn widespread and intense public interest, the SDP is of the view that the case be open to the public.”
Case against Pofma corrections should be heard in open court: SDP
The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), which has had two correction directions issued against it under the fake news law, will request to have its case challenging the corrections heard in an open court.
The case, in which the Attorney-General is named as the respondent, is scheduled to be heard in chambers on Thursday morning (Jan 16) and is not open to the public or the media.
The party said in a Facebook post on Monday that it will make the application to the judge when the session is convened. It added that the case should be open to the public as the matter "has drawn widespread and intense public interest".
SDP appeals against correction notices by Manpower Ministry in first court challenge of fake news law
The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) has filed an appeal in the High Court against correction notices issued by the Manpower Ministry - the first court challenge of the fake news law.
The party's appeal comes after Manpower Minister Josephine Teo on Monday (Jan 6) rejected its application to cancel three correction directions issued under the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (Pofma).
A hearing is scheduled to take place at 10am on Jan 16, said the SDP on Wednesday (Jan 8).
SDP files case in High Court against Manpower Minister Josephine Teo over POFMA orders
The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) has filed a case against Minister for Manpower Josephine Teo in the High Court over three orders that she had issued against the opposition party under a controversial anti-fake news law.
The move by the SDP to file the Originating Summons marks the first ever legal challenge against the government under the Protection Against Online Falsehoods and Manipulations Act (POFMA).
In a statement on Wednesday (8 January), the SDP said it has set out its case in a detailed submission to Teo, including statistical analyses of the Ministry of Manpower’s (MOM) own data and the use of different sets of data by MOM, explaining why she is wrong to issue the orders.
SDP to take MOM to court after application to cancel Correction Directions rejected
The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) has announced its intentions to challenge the Ministry of Manpower’s fake news Correction Direction (CD) in court after its application to cancel said Correction Directions was rejected.
A statement released by the party today (Jan 7) said that “In rejecting the SDP’s application for the cancellation of the Correction Directions, the MOM has failed to provide any grounds for its decision”.
MOM’s reply to the party’s application simply stated that their application did not provide sufficient grounds for the cancellation of the CDs.
JOSEPHINE TEO'S REFUSAL TO SUBSTANTIATE POFMA ALLEGATION IS INDICATION OF CALIBRE OF PAP'S 4G LEADERSHIP
In rejecting the SDP's application for the cancellation of the Correction Directions, the MOM has failed to provide any grounds for its decision.
MOM's reply simply insisted that "your Application does not provide sufficient grounds for the cancellation of the CDs." This is not a rational answer as the SDP had submitted a detailed account – including analysing MOM's own statistics – of the reasons for the statements in our posts.
The SDP is confident of our case and we, therefore, have no qualms posting our full document for all to read and judge (see here).
Minister Josephine Teo refused application by SDP to cancel POFMA correction directions
The Minister of Manpower, Josephine Teo has refused the application of the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP)’s application to cancel the correction directions issued on 14 Dec last year on three online postings as she views that the application does not provide sufficient grounds for the cancellation.
SDP had earlier submitted its application on 3 Jan to cancel the three correction directions issued by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) under Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA). Ms Teo in the MOM statement on 6 Jan, did not elaborate on how SDP’s application did not provide sufficient grounds.
Last month, MOM issued three Correction Directions (CDs) to SDP for three online postings, alleging that the statements made regarding employment in Singapore were false.
MOM Statement on the Singapore Democratic Party’s application to cancel the Correction Directions issued under the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act
Three Correction Directions (“CDs”) were issued on 14 December 2019 in respect of: (a) an article on the Singapore Democratic Party (“SDP”) website dated 8 June 2019 (the “Article”); (b) a post on the SDP Facebook page dated 30 November 2019 (the “SDP FB post”); and (c) a Facebook post sponsored by the SDP published on 2 December 2019 (the “sponsored post”). Both the SDP FB post and the sponsored post contain links to the Article, which article contains a false statement of fact. The sponsored post additionally contains a misleading graphic.
MOM received the SDP’s application to cancel the CDs (the “Application”) on 3 January 2020. After careful consideration, the Minister for Manpower is of the view that the Application does not provide sufficient grounds for the cancellation of the CDs. The Minister for Manpower has therefore decided to refuse the Application. The SDP has been notified of the Minister’s decision.
Separately, we wish to clarify that the SDP’s assertion that the Minister is applying the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act to the Article retroactively is misconstrued. In particular, the Article was hyperlinked in the SDP FB post and sponsored post, hence it was actively being publicised as late as 2 December 2019.
For details on the CDs issued against the false statements of fact, please refer to https://www.gov.sg/factually/content/corrections-on-falsehoods-posted-by-SDP.
Josephine Teo rejects SDP's application to cancel 3 correction directives
Minister for Manpower Josephine Teo on Monday (6 January) rejected an application by opposition party Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) to cancel three correction directives issued to it under a controversial anti-fake news law.
This comes three days after Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam rejected an application by the founder of socio-political website States Times Review to cancel a correction directive issued to it under the same law. The outcome of SDP’s application, filed last Friday, was announced in a press statement by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) on Monday.
“After careful consideration, the Minister for Manpower is of the view that the application does not provide sufficient grounds for the cancellation of the (correction directives). The Minister for Manpower has therefore decided to refuse the application,” said the ministry.
“The SDP has been notified of the minister’s decision.”
Manpower Minister rejects SDP’s application to retract correction directions, cites insufficient grounds
The Minister for Manpower has rejected the Singapore Democratic Party’s (SDP) application to cancel the correction directions that were issued last month about statements the SDP had made on its website and Facebook page about employment issues, The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said on Monday (Jan 6).
The opposition party had on Thursday called on Minister for Manpower Josephine Teo to retract the correction directions, insisting that its statements were “true and correct”. MOM said it received SDP’s application to cancel the correction directions on Friday.
"After careful consideration, the Minister for Manpower is of the view that the application does not provide sufficient grounds for the cancellation of the correction directions," the ministry said on Monday.
SDP calls for Josephine Teo to retract correction directions, apologise
The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) says that Manpower Minister Josephine Teo owes the opposition party an “immediate, unambiguous and public apology” over correction directions imposed on the SDP last month.
In a media statement on Thursday (2 January), the SDP claimed the directions – made against two Facebook posts and an online article by the party – had abused the Protection Against Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA).
“The problem lies with the fact that MOM had accused the SDP of making statements that we did not make or cited different sets of data which it then used to accuse the SDP's post as false,” said the party, referring to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
SDP wants Manpower Minister to retract correction directions and apologise as the party quoted statistics taken from MOM itself
On 2 January (Thursday), the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) has released a statement calling for Manpower Minister Josephine Teo to retract the correction directions under Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation (POFMA) Act which her Ministry issued on 14 December 2019.
The Party also wants the Minister to issue an “immediate, unambiguous and public apology over the matter”. This is because SDP said that its statements in the three posts which MOM issued the correction directions, are indeed true and correct.
“The problem lies with the fact that MOM had accused the SDP of making statements that we did not make or cited different sets of data which is then used to accuse the SDP’s post as false. This is an abuse of POFMA,” SDP said.
Singapore opposition party to challenge fake news notices in court
A Singapore opposition party on Thursday said it was prepared to legally challenge a government order to attach correction notices to its online posts, accusing the government of using a new fake news law to stymie political debate. This would be the first time such a case could head to court since the law came into effect in October.
The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), which has no current representation in parliament, was told last month to issue the notices on an article on its website and related Facebook posts that discussed white-collar jobs in the city state. The law requires recipients of correction orders to comply even if they intend to appeal. The SDP attached the notices, but said on Thursday it stood by its content and asked for the correction notices to be retracted by the manpower ministry.
The party said in a statement on its website:
“We call on the Minister [for Manpower Josephine Teo] to not only retract the Correction Directions but also issue an immediate, unambiguous and public apology to the SDP … failing which we will be obliged to pursue the matter in a court of law,”
SDP urges MOM to retract Pofma correction directives; ministry asks party to follow appeal process
The Singapore Democratic Party was directed to correct two Facebook posts and an article on its website, the authorities said in December 2019
The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) has called on the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) to retract correction orders issued against it under the fake-news law, with MOM responding that the opposition party could follow an appeal process to cancel the directives.
In a statement on Thursday (Jan 2), the SDP argued that its two Facebook posts and an article on the party’s website that were targeted by the directives had been “true and correct”, and urged Manpower Minister Josephine Teo to apologise.
Under the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (Pofma), which kicked in last year, organisations or individuals who want to challenge a minister’s correction order can apply to the Government and, if the application fails, to the courts.
MOM Statement in response to the Singapore Democratic Party's online article calling to retract POFMA Correction Directions
In the Correction Directions (CDs) issued by POFMA Office, the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) was informed that they can apply to the Minister to vary or cancel the CDs.
It had been earlier reported by Lianhe Zaobao that SDP intended to apply to cancel the CDs. However, the Ministry of Manpower has not received any application from the SDP to vary or cancel the CDs. If SDP takes the position that the CDs were wrongly issued, there is a process under POFMA for them to follow.
The facts remain that SDP published specific falsehoods.
For details, please refer to https://www.gov.sg/factually/content/corrections-on-falsehoods-posted-by-SDP.
SDP CALLS ON JOSEPHINE TEO TO RETRACT CORRECTION DIRECTIONS AND APOLOGISE, CITES MOM'S OWN STATISTICS TO PROVE SHE'S WRONG
The SDP calls on Minister for Manpower Josephine Teo to retract the POFMA Correction Directions she issued to the party on 14 December 2019 and issue an immediate, unambiguous and public apology over the matter.
This is because the SDP's statements in the three posts which the Minister cited are, in fact, true and correct.
The problem lies with the fact that MOM had accused the SDP of making statements that we did not make or cited different sets of data which it then used to accuse the SDP's post as false. This is an abuse of POFMA.
Singapore invokes fake-news law again
Opposition political party ordered to correct 'misleading' claims about job market
The Singapore government invoked its fake news law on Saturday to order an opposition party to publish corrections on two social media posts and an article on its website about local employment.
It is the third time that authorities have used the law, called the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (Pofma), since it came into effect two months ago. But it is the first time it has been used against a political party.
The government ordered the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) to issue corrections to a sponsored Facebook post, another post on its page on the social network as well as an article on its website about the city-state’s job market.
SDP says ‘false statements’ based on media reports; plans to appeal to Manpower Minister
SDP vice-chairman John Tan said on Facebook on Sunday (Dec 15) that the party's statements were based on media reports
The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) has complied with the Government’s order to correct two Facebook posts and an article described as false, but said that it would appeal to Manpower Minister Josephine Teo to cancel the directives.
SDP vice-chairman John Tan said on Facebook on Sunday (Dec 15) that the party’s statements were based on media reports. He also asked the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) to take up the matter with national broadsheet The Straits Times (ST), as one of its posts was based on an ST report. Rebutting SDP’s Facebook post on Sunday night, MOM maintained that the party’s statement was wrong and that its interpretation of the ST report was “fundamentally different” from what the report meant.
To challenge a minister’s decision, individuals or organisations can appeal, first to the Government and then the courts. It was the third time the Government issued correction orders since Singapore’s fake-news law, the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (Pofma), took effect on Oct 2.
SDP complies with POFMA order but will apply to cancel correction directions
SDP was directed under the online falsehoods law to correct two Facebook posts and an article on its website related to manpower issues. (Photos: SDP/Facebook, Calvin Oh)
The SDP issued the correction on the article on its website and on a Facebook post from Nov 30, but added it will contest them. "Under POFMA, we have to comply with the order but we will be applying to cancel the Correction Directions," SDP said on Sunday.
SDP said its statement was based on a report in The Straits Times (ST) which said PMETs made up a rising share of retrenched locals, mentioning this line in the newspaper's article: “Professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMETs) made up about three in four or 76 per cent of the locals - Singaporeans and permanent residents - who were retrenched last year, the highest figure in at least a decade.”
SDP also referred to a graphic within the ST article that was titled: PMETs make up growing share of locals laid off. SDP said MOM should take the matter up with the ST. "If the ST states that its information, or the interpretation of it, is incorrect, we would be happy to amend our statement correspondingly,” SDP said on Sunday in its response. It also said that as the ST is a "government-controlled" newspaper, "we have no reason to believe it would publish fake news about the government".
Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) shared a post 15 hrs
The SDP has issued the Correction Notices for the three posts as specified by MOM. However, as stated in our previous statement (https://www.facebook.com/yoursdp/posts/10158399553898455), the conclusions that Manpower Minister Josephine Teo has come to are disputable. Under POFMA, we have to comply with the order but we will be applying to cancel the Correction Directions.
SDP issues rebuttal to MOM over POFMA correction orders
In response, SDP noted that this particular statement was based a Straits Times (ST) report “PMETs make up rising share of retrenched locals” (15 March 2019).
The report also includes a figure labelled: “PMETs make up growing share of locals laid off” with MOM stated as its source. SDP noted that as ST is a government-controlled newspaper, it had no reason to believe that it would publish fake news about the government and argued that MOM should take the matter up with the ST.
“If the ST states that its information, or the interpretation of it, is incorrect, we would be happy to amend our statement correspondingly.” wrote SDP.
Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) 2 hrs
Dear Minister Josephine Teo,
We refer to the Correction Notices you sent to the SDP on 14 December 2019. We state our case below.
Post 1:
The SDP article which you refer to dated 8 June 2019 states: “The SDP's proposal comes amidst a rising proportion of Singapore PMETs getting retrenched.”
This statement is based on a Straits Times (ST) report “PMETs make up rising share of retrenched locals” (15 March 2019). The report states:
“Professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMETs) made up about three in four or 76 per centof the locals – Singaporeans and permanent residents – who were retrenched last year, the highest figure in at least a decade. It rose from 72 per cent in 2017 and is significantly higher than the share of PMETs in the resident workforce, which is about 57 per cent.”
Singapore’s fake news law: protecting the truth, or restricting free debate?
In May, as Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s top ministers took turns in parliament to hammer home just why they thought the country needed a new law to fight “fake news” despite reservations from activists and academics, the opposition leader rose to dampen their parade.
Workers’ Party chief Pritam Singh said his party would not back the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (Pofma) over fears that it could be used as a “proverbial Damocles sword” against those who “do not support the government’s narrative or toe the government’s line”. Still, the law was easily passed because of the parliamentary supermajority held by Lee’s People’s Action Party (PAP) for decades.
K. Shanmugam, the home and law minister who vigorously campaigned to beat back local and international criticism of the law, said at the time that free speech proponents had little to worry about as Pofma only targeted “falsehoods”, “bots”, “trolls” and “fake accounts”.
related:
Singapore’s fake news law: a lesson to Asia in stifling dissent?
Spore’s opposition calls fake-news bill a ‘Damocles sword’ hanging over the public
read more
POFMA, a blank cheque for the government to defame?
Just last week, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) issued three correction orders under the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA), upon Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) over three online postings made by the party.
MOM claims that the posts and article from SDP contained “a misleading graphic and false statements of fact”. SDP is required to carry the correction notice at the top of both Facebook posts and the article on its website, which it has done. SDP has also followed the correction notice with a statement of its own saying that while it is complying with the order, the party will also be applying to cancel the correction direction.
The full correction by MOM is posted on the government’s fact-correction site ‘Factually’.
read more
Brad Bowyer: Can the govt answer citizens’ questions without having to revert to POFMA
In the recent Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation (POFMA) episode directed at Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) by Ministry of Manpower (MOM), the government claims there are factual errors on the SDP’s part as it states that the number of local PMET’s has been increasing not decreasing but let’s drill down a little into that blanket surface claim.
A recent Channel News Asia article on Singapore’s population on 26 Sept gave figures for how many Permanent Residents (PRs) and New citizenships were given over the last few years. You can also find some of the data on Singstats and around other publications although there is no one definitive source.
Now to be a PR you must have worked here for at least 6 months already under an employment pass or S-Pass and to be a citizen you must have been a PR for at least 2 years. There are a few other categories but essentially you must have been working here, and thus in the foreign PMET workforce or the PR PMET workforce before you became a citizen (work permit holders almost never get PR or citizenship).
related: Teo Soh Lung: Who will be the next victim of POFMA?
Corrections And Clarifications Regarding Falsehoods Posted By The Singapore Democratic Party
The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) published two Facebook posts and an article on the SDP’s website regarding Singapore’s population policy that contain falsehoods. In addition, SDP paid for both posts to be boosted as advertisements on Facebook. Both posts are linked to an article on the SDP’s website titled, “SDP Population Policy: Hire S’poreans First, Retrench S’poreans last”.
One of the Facebook posts includes a graphical illustration depicting plunging local PMET employment.
This is wrong. As reported in the Ministry of Manpower’s Comprehensive Labour Force Survey, local PMETs employment has risen steadily since 2015.
The article on the SDP’s website titled, “SDP Population Policy: Hire S’poreans First, Retrench S’poreans last”, contains the statement: “The SDP’s proposal comes amidst a rising proportion of Singaporean PMETs getting retrenched”.
This statement is also wrong. There is no rising trend of local PMET retrenchments. The number of local PMETs retrenched in 2018 was, in fact, the lowest since 2014. Local PMETs retrenched, as a proportion of all local PMET employees, has also declined since 2015.
POFMA Office: SDP article, Facebook posts contain falsehoods
Singapore’s anti-fake news agency has on Saturday (14 December) highlighted two Facebook posts and an online article by the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) that contained falsehoods regarding Singapore’s population policy
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has ordered, under the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA) law, the addition of a correction note to SDP's Facebook posts and an article on its website.
The POFMA Office also issued a media statement saying that POFMA has been used to “place the facts alongside the falsehoods”. The media statement also contained detailed rebuttals to SDP’s assertions that were deemed false by the MOM.
This is the third time the POFMA law was invoked since the law was enacted earlier this year. The first occasion was on 25 November, when the POFMA Office issued a correction notice to opposition party member Brad Bowyer, regarding his Facebook post on investments by Temasek Holdings. The second occasion came three days later, as a correction direction was issued against sociopolitical website States Times Review over a Facebook post that falsely claimed several individuals have been arrested over a recent post about Home Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam.
Singapore Government Again Uses Fake News Law on Opposition
The Singapore government again invoked its recently enacted law against false information, ordering the opposition party to correct social-media and website posts about local employment rates.
The Ministry of Manpower called for the changes to a Facebook post sponsored by the Singapore Democratic Party, the government agency said in a statement. The Dec. 2 post carried a graphic showing falling employment of local executives and a report promoting the party’s population policy, according to the statement. There is a “a rising proportion of Singaporean” executives and managers being retrenched, the statement cited the report as saying.
Both the graphic and statement are incorrect, said the ministry. There is no rising trend in retrenchment of local professionals, managers, executives and technicians, it said.
SDP directed to correct Facebook posts and article under online falsehoods law
A screenshot of the Factually post citing the corrections and clarifications regarding falsehoods posted by the Singapore Democratic Party. (Image: www.gov.sg)
The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) has been directed to correct two Facebook posts and an article on its website that are related to manpower issues, the authorities said on Saturday (Dec 14).
“The Minister for Manpower (MOM) has instructed the POFMA Office to issue three Correction Directions (CD) to the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), on the false statements made in two Facebook posts and a website article by SDP,” said the POFMA Office in a news release on Saturday (Dec 14).
“The Correction Directions require SDP to carry in full, the correction notice at the top of both the Facebook posts, as well as the website article,” it said. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) in a separate release on Saturday said that SDP's posts and article on Singapore’s population policy contained “a misleading graphic and false statement of facts”.
Ministry of Manpower issues POFMA correction directive against SDP over posts on employment
The ministry claims that the graphical illustration depicting that plunging local PMET employment featured in SDP’s sponsored Facebook post on 2 Dec, is wrong
The Ministry of Manpower has issued three Correction Directions (CD) under the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA) to online postings by the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP). The three posts are:
- A sponsored Facebook post on 2 Dec 2019
- a post on the SDP Facebook page on 30 Nov 2019
- an article on the SDP website on 8 Jun 2019.
A statement containing the corrections ordered by MOM, has already been published on government website, Factually.
Singapore's government orders opposition party to label ads as 'misleading'
The law is meant to stop fake news. Photo credit: Getty
Ordering the corrections, the government statement said the posts and the article will need to carry a notice that says they "contain a misleading graphic and false statement of facts". The SDP, which does not hold any seats in parliament, said it was looking into the directives. As of 1200 GMT, the posts and article had not been changed.
Rights groups have warned that the so-called fake news law may stifle free speech, and opposition politicians say it could give the government too much power as elections loom. The government says the city-state is vulnerable to misleading and inaccurate news because of its position as a global financial hub, its mixed ethnic and religious population and widespread internet access.
Singapore, which has been ruled by the People's Action Party since its independence more than half a century ago, is expected to hold elections within months. In the first case of the new law's use, opposition political figure Brad Bowyer swiftly complied with a correction request last month. In the second case, Facebook issued a correction notice on a user's post at the request of the Singapore government, following the user's refusal to do so.
3 Instances Of POFMA Invoked, All Against Articles Critical Of Gov
Ravi Philemon Facebook
Below is an excerpt of Ravi Philemon's FB post, in which he voiced his concerns, as should all Singaporeans, that the POFMA had been invoked three times, and all three times are for articles that are critical of the government.
I am concerned that there have been 3 instances of Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA) being invoked - all against articles critical of the government.
My view is that POFMA was indeed passed ahead of a General Election which is looming.
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Ravi Philemon December 10
I am concerned that there have been 3 instances of Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA) being invoked - all against articles critical of the government.
My view is that POFMA was indeed passed ahead of a General Election which is looming.
read more
Letting the courts decide on matters concerning deliberate falsehoods “in line with existing practices” before POFMA: PSP responds to MCI
Progress Party Singapore - Revised Statement on POFMA
Leaving the matter of determining the question of deliberate falsehoods to the courts is “logical and in line with the existing practice” even prior to the enactment of the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA), said the Progress Singapore Party (PSP) on Mon (16 Dec).
In a reply to the Ministry of Information and Communication (MCI) comment on the party’s 10 Dec Facebook post, PSP said that taking a judicial approach in handling the spread of falsehoods “ensures greater transparency, independence and accountability”.
The party also argued that POFMA “should be used as a last resort”, especially in the process of making Singapore “a kinder and more gracious society, not a more litigious one”. “We believe most media content providers will take remedial actions on their own accord upon being provided with the right facts. POFMA should be reserved for only those who repeatedly and deliberately perpetuate falsehoods,” PSP wrote.
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Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI) December 11 at 7:00 PM
𝗠𝗖𝗜 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗟𝗮𝘄 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘆’𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗢𝗙𝗠𝗔
The PSP statement makes several untrue claims about POFMA.
1. PSP claims Ministers can use POFMA to “declare a piece of news to be falsehood, without any justification”. This is untrue. The law explicitly requires Ministers to state why the specified statements are false. There are precedents in law as to how falsehoods are to be determined. When POFMA was used recently, the reasons why the statements were false were explained clearly. Significantly, PSP and Mr Brad Bowyer do not deny that his post contained falsehoods.
2. PSP goes on to assert that there are no “criteria or standards” for Ministers to use POFMA. Again, this is untrue. The law states that POFMA can only be used when clear criteria are met. And the process enables an aggrieved person to challenge the Minister’s direction in court within days, and at minimal cost. This sets a high standard of accountability.
3. PSP says that Ministers can “impose any penalties” they wish. This too is untrue. Ministers can give directions, for example requiring a correction to be posted. But if the direction is not complied with, only the Courts can impose penalties, in accordance with due process and established legal principles.
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Ministries refute ‘several untrue claims’ by Progress Singapore Party about POFMA
A recent statement by the Progress Singapore Party (PSP) has made "several untrue claims" about the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA), the Ministry of Law (MinLaw) and Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI) said on Wednesday (Dec 11).
Last month, POFMA was utilised for the first time, directing PSP member Brad Bowyer to correct a Facebook post he made that, among other things, questioned the independence of Temasek and GIC. Under POFMA, a minister has the power to declare that an article contains falsehoods and issue directions, including asking for a correction to be carried. This direction can be challenged in court.
On Tuesday, PSP said in a statement that the Act "falls short" of the values of transparency, independence and accountability. It claimed POFMA could be used by ministers to declare a piece of news to be "falsehood, without requiring any justification, criteria or standards".
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Rights to free speech not hit by use of fake news law: Ministries
The recent use of Singapore's fake news law to correct a Facebook post by Progress Singapore Party (PSP) member Brad Bowyer does not affect his rights to free speech, said the Ministry of Law and Ministry of Communications and Information on Wednesday (Dec 11).
In a joint statement on Facebook, both ministries pointed out that Mr Bowyer's original post remains on Facebook and is available for anyone to read.
After he was required to put up a correction alongside his original post, he has also gone on to issue repeated clarifications, said the ministries.
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Questionable points in MinLaw and MCI’s response to PSP’s statement on POFMA
Earlier on Tuesday (10 December) the Progress Singapore Party (PSP) called for Courts of Singapore to be the authority that declares a piece of news as falsehood and impose corresponding penalties to ensure that Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation (POFMA) is in line with the value of ‘independence’.
In a statement on their website, PSP emphasised that the party is founded on the tenets of transparency, independence and accountability which it feels the current POFMA “falls short”.
“Currently, POFMA empowers the Minister to declare a piece of news to be falsehood, without requiring any justification, criteria or standards,” said PSP. “This does not measure up to the standards of Transparency and Accountability. And where the news involves the Government, it also fails the standard of Independence,” it added.
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MCI & MinLaw: Progress S’pore Party made untrue claims about POFMA
In a joint statement on Facebook on Dec. 11, they said that PSP had made a number of “untrue claims” about the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulations Act (POFMA).
On Dec. 10, the party said that the current form of POFMA is not transparent or accountable enough, and that it wants to courts to impose penalties where necessary.
MCI and MinLaw said that the following claims made by PSP are untrue:
- That Ministers can use POFMA to declare a piece of news to be a falsehood without any justification
- That there are no “criteria or standards” for Ministers to use POFMA
- That Ministers can impose any penalties they wish under POFMA
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Progress Singapore Party
The Progress Singapore Party (PSP) is founded on the tenets of Transparency, Independence and Accountability. Measured against these values, the current form of Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA) falls short.
Currently, POFMA empowers the Minister to declare a piece of news to be falsehood without requiring any justification, criteria or standards. This does not measure up to the standards of Transparency and Accountability. And where the news involves the Government, it also fails the standard of Independence.
Online falsehoods can arise from 3 scenarios:
- Important facts, statistics and data are not made readily available and accessible to the public and hence guesses are made based on limited information
- Negligence or failure to exercise more care by the purveyors of news in fact-checking
- Deliberate falsehoods where the purveyor intentionally sets out to mislead his/her audience
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Progress Singapore Party December 10
PSP: POFMA fails on Accountability, Transparency and Independence
Visit our website for the full statement. https://psp.org.sg/our-statements/
#progresssingaporeparty #psp #defendsg #pofma #sayitright
Tis the season to be #POFMA-ed
Kirsten Han 韩俐颖 @kixes - 4 hr
’Tis the season to be #POFMA-ed. After @yourSDP was POFMAed yesterday, today we have the Minster of Education issuing a correction direction to opposition politician Lim Tean. #Singapore
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Fake news law invoked for 2nd time in 4 days, States Times Review directed to correct Facebook post
The person who runs the Facebook page of alternative news site States Times Review was directed on Thursday (Nov 28) under the Republic's fake news law to correct false statements in a post on the page.
This is the second time the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (Pofma) has been invoked after it was used on Monday in relation to a separate Facebook post by opposition party member Brad Bowyer.
The Pofma Office said on Thursday that it was instructed by Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam to issue a correction direction to Mr Alex Tan Zhi Xiang regarding a post on the States Times Review Facebook page on Nov 23.
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POFMA fake news law invoked for first time
Singapore political figure Brad Bowyer. — Picture via facebook.com/SGBelieves
Singapore political figure Brad Bowyer today corrected a Facebook post questioning the independence of state investment firms following a government request, in the first use of the country's new “fake news” law.
Bowyer used “false and misleading” statements alleging the government influenced decisions made by state investors Temasek Holdings and GIC, according to a statement on the official government fact-checking website.
Bowyer said he had placed a correction notice with a link to the government statement above his Facebook post following a request to do so under the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (Pofma). “I have no problem in following that request as I feel it is fair to have both points of view and clarifications and corrections of fact when necessary,” Bowyer said in a statement on Facebook.
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PM Lee: “POFMA would catch you!”
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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Man charged in court instead of being POFMAed
Cases where POFMA has been invoked
5th case where Pofma has been invoked
First challenge against POFMA fake news law
Singapore rebuts Foreign Media on fake news law
Tis the season to be #POFMA-ed
3 Instances Of POFMA Invoked
Facebook gives way to Singapore’s ‘fake news’ law
POFMA fake news law invoked for first time
PM Lee: “POFMA would catch you!”
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Singapore's fake news law passed
Singapore introduces anti-fake news law
Singapore PM sues online editor
Singapore PM threatens online editor with libel
PM Lee sues Blogger for sharing article
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Mothership.sg To Register Under Broadcasting Act
Blogger asked to remove defamatory post about PM Lee
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"Can we love our Country and fear at the same time?”
The 'Dr Mahathir-Activists KL Meeting' Saga
States Times Review to shut down
Thumping of PJ Thum over ‘fake news’ hearing
Parliamentary committee on Fake News
Law to combat fake news to be introduced next year
Combating fake news in Singapore
Fakes and Frauds
Singapore public servants' computers no Internet from May 2017
