Wed 02 October 2019:
Singapore is about to introduce a law against “fake news” which rights groups have warned may stifle free speech and opposition politicians have said could give the government too much power as elections loom.
The law gives government ministers powers to order social media sites to put warnings next to posts authorities deem to be false, and in extreme cases get them taken down.
Facebook, Twitter and Google – who have their Asian headquarters in Singapore – were given temporary exemptions from a handful of provisions in the act to give them time to adapt.Individuals deemed to have maliciously spread false information on the web damaging to the public interest face jail terms of up to 10 years. Media platforms that fail to comply with the law face fines of up to S$1 million ($730,600).
Authorities in the tightly controlled country – long criticised for restricting civil liberties – insist the measures are necessary to stop the circulation of falsehoods that could sow divisions in society and erode trust in institutions.
But the laws have sparked outrage from rights groups, who fear they could stifle online discussion, tech companies and media organisations.
After the law was passed in May, Google said it was concerned the legislation will “hurt innovation and the growth of the digital information ecosystem”.
A group of nearly 100 academics worldwide also expressed concern over the law, warning earlier this year that it could threaten academic freedom.
Activists fear the law could be used to crack down on dissent in the run-up to elections in Singapore, which are expected within months.
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