The Singaporean government has announced a new regulation for fake news on social media.
The regulation would require social media sites like Facebook to convey alerts on fake news posts. Furthermore, they can also impose the removal of the said content.
In addition, if the content of the posts deems malicious and threatening to Singapore’s interests, the government will implement fines of up to Sg$1 million.
The government even can also imprison an individual for 10 years.
Tech Giants
Tech monsters upset after Singapore announced laws against fake news. Thus, they thought it will give the government the specialist to arrange the removal of content and force strong fines. Critics of the laws trust that they damage people right to speak freely.
The press opportunity gatherings and the tech organizations denounce the new law. They asserted that it stifles the online discussions of the users. Asian coalition said that an industry whose individuals incorporates tech giants Facebook, Google, and Twitter, the new guideline influenced noteworthy dangers to the opportunity of discussions of the users.
Singaporean Government
On the other hand, the Singaporean government believes that it is important to end the dissemination of misrepresentations which could spread divisions in its culturally-diverse city-state.
Moreover, Singapore has been reprimanded to confine common freedoms for a long time.
The Singaporean government said that the main reaction to the spread of fake news is to arrange the “corrections” . It will put close in misrepresentations as opposed to setting people in prison or in courts.
Shanmugam, The law and home affairs minister, said that the proposed law targets false statements of fact, not opinions, and criticisms.
He said that contradiction over truth and deception will be chosen by the courts.
In addition, Simon Milner, Facebook’s VP of public policy in the Asia Pacific, stated that he was worry to remove content.
He said that giving individuals a spot to convey what needs to be openly and securely is essential to us.
Additionally, we have a duty to deal with government request to remove alleged misinformation cautiously and insightfully.
Read more: Singapore’s Rights Groups Hit Out Fake News on Social Media
