Singapore proposes tough new measures to fight ‘fake news’

This picture taken on March 20, 2019 shows the national flag flying on the roof of the Parliament House in Singapore. – Singapore proposed tough new measures to combat “fake news” on April 1 including a maximum 10-year jail term, saying they were necessary to protect national security but sparking concerns of new curbs on free speech. AP

SINGAPORE — Singapore proposed tough new measures to combat “fake news” Monday including a maximum 10-year jail term, saying they were necessary to protect national security but sparking concerns of new curbs on free speech.

The tightly-controlled city-state has long faced criticism for restricting free expression and clamping down on political rights, and is ranked 151 out 180 countries in Reporters Without Borders’ press freedom index.

It has been among several countries seeking to fight the threat of online falsehoods, and ministers argue new powers are needed as fake news could sow divisions in multi-ethnic Singapore.

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The proposed new powers, outlined in a bill presented to parliament, would allow the government to order websites to publish corrections for what it considers to be false information and to offer users the option of going to a site showing what authorities deem is the truth.

It can also require “fake news” to be taken down if they believe it could cause serious harm.

Offenders can be punished with jail terms ranging up to 10 years for offenders who use a false online account or “bot” to spread a false statement in Singapore.

The maximum fine in the bill is Sg$1.0 million ($740,000). But officials stress criminal sanctions will be used in the most extreme cases and if a site refuses to follow official directions.

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“This legislation deals with false statements of fact,” said K. Shanmugam, law and home affairs minister. “It doesn’t deal with opinions, it doesn’t deal with viewpoints, you can have whatever viewpoints, however reasonable or unreasonable.”

But rights groups swiftly condemned the proposed legislation, with Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director of Human Rights Watch, telling AFP that “freedom of expression also involves freedom of opinion and the government has a sorry track record of respecting both when they run contrary to what the government… want”.

Singapore already has a series of strict laws in place covering libel and restricting public protests and dissent.

The proposals may anger tech giants such as Google and Facebook, which have invested substantial amounts in the business-friendly financial hub.

The bill will likely pass easily through parliament, where the long-ruling People’s Action Party has a substantial majority of seats.