Primer

Fighting fake news here with legislation

This is the seventh of 12 primers on current affairs issues that are part of the outreach programme for The Straits Times-Ministry of Education National Current Affairs Quiz.

Ordinary citizens who unwittingly share or forward articles which are false are not liable to be punished under the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act. The law, which was passed last Wednesday with 72 MPs saying "yes", all nine Wo
Ordinary citizens who unwittingly share or forward articles which are false are not liable to be punished under the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act. The law, which was passed last Wednesday with 72 MPs saying "yes", all nine Workers' Party MPs saying "no" and three Nominated MPs abstaining, will cover statements of facts, and not opinions, criticism, satire and parody.PHOTO: EPA-EFE
  • Published
    May 13, 2019, 5:00 am SGT
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A proposed law to tackle the scourge of fake news, one of the most closely watched pieces of legislation in recent years, was passed last Wednesday after a marathon debate in Parliament.

The Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Bill gives Singapore's ministers the power to order removal or corrections of online falsehoods. They can also order the blocking of accounts or sites that are spreading the untruths.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on May 13, 2019, with the headline 'Fighting fake news here with legislation'. Subscribe
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