It is heartening that the Government is seriously considering how to address the problem of fake news.

With almost every Singaporean equipped with a smart gadget that gives him or her quick access to news , the danger of "destabilising" fake news is a real threat to society.

Undiscerning recipients of such news would not even attempt to verify the news they get, even if it is potentially explosive.

Also, much damage would have been done before damage-control steps are taken.

Besides introducing new laws with more teeth, we should also learn from countries such as Germany and Britain, which require social media websites like Facebook to remove any fake news or face a blockage or shutdown.

Seah Yam Meng