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Online Citizen
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Online Citizen
Singapore blocks Jom articles on Meta over election ad rules, citing unauthorised paid promotion
SINGAPORE: On 30 April 2025, the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) confirmed that three articles published by the Singapore-based digital magazine Jom were blocked for local users on Facebook and Instagram. The action, carried out by Meta, followed a directive issued by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) on 23 April. It came amid concerns that the articles constituted unauthorised third-party paid Online Election Advertising (OEA) during the general election period. Jom, which describes itself as an independent magazine covering culture, politics, and society in Singapore, had promoted these articles through paid advertisements on Meta's platforms. According to MDDI, the three articles in question were titled: These pieces, which either praised or criticised political figures and policies, were deemed to meet the legal definition of OEA under the Parliamentary Elections Act (PEA). The PEA defines OEA as any online material that could reasonably be regarded as intended to promote or prejudice the electoral success or standing of a political party or candidate, regardless of other intended purposes. Singapore law permits only political parties, candidates, election agents, and authorised third parties to publish paid OEA. Such activities must also be declared to the returning officer. MDDI stressed that these rules are in place to ensure accountability and prevent circumvention of election expense limits. Unpaid OEA remains legal outside the campaign cooling-off period, which runs from midnight on 2 May until polling closes on 3 May. In response to media queries, MDDI reiterated that unpaid OEA on Jom's website remains accessible. The ministry noted that other online commentators had complied with these rules. Jom contests classification of journalism as political advertising Jom expressed strong disagreement with the government's classification. In statements issued on its social media platforms, the publication said it had only sought to promote journalism to new readers through standard digital marketing practices. Jom called the order 'shocking' and argued that its content was not designed to influence voter behaviour, but to inform and analyse, as journalistic work typically does. 'Our work was never 'intended' to promote or prejudice anybody, but simply to analyse and report,' Jom said. The magazine specifically cited the housing article, noting that it was first published 18 months ago. It contended that describing public policies from multiple perspectives should not be viewed as electioneering. Jom reported that, after consulting legal counsel, it contacted IMDA via the designated email for election-related issues, requesting clarification within 48 hours due to the urgency of the situation. The agency responded on 29 April, stating that Jom had contravened section 61K(1) of the PEA. Jom said it was not provided with further substantive clarification. Additionally, the outlet revealed that a fourth article, Inequality and your vote, had also been restricted from promotion on Meta, though this was not mentioned in the government's initial announcement. Concerns over press freedom, competition, and public discourse Jom raised concerns about what it views as broader implications for press freedom, democratic engagement, and competition in Singapore's media landscape. 'This order undermines our integrity as journalists,' the publication stated, arguing that it was being unfairly penalised while state-affiliated platforms and influencers operated without similar constraints. It also noted that the ruling hinders the viability of small media firms trying to build readership through legitimate digital channels. 'Our ability to grow our readership and business through social media is vital,' Jom said. 'Far from nurturing media entrepreneurs, IMDA cripples us.' Meta defines boosted posts as advertisements and requires them to follow applicable advertising laws. According to the platform, even if a post is originally published as standard content, paying to increase its reach classifies it as an ad. This distinction played a key role in the enforcement of Singapore's election laws in this case. Jom acknowledged that the order only barred the promotion of its articles on Meta, and that the content remains freely accessible on its own website. Jom questioned whether the decision was a bureaucratic misstep or a politically motivated move aimed at silencing independent commentary during the election season. 'Are [readers] only supposed to hear mainstream media and PAP-influencer views?' Jom asked. Despite the controversy, Jom stated its commitment to continue reporting on Singapore's general election and other pressing national issues. 'We will not succumb,' the statement read. 'We will continue to do our honest work.'
AsiaOne
30-04-2025
- Politics
- AsiaOne
GE2025: Bot spreading hate on social media
During the general elections, it's easy to get swept up in the excitement — not just at rallies and candidate walkabouts, but on social media too. At the same time, it is crucial to exercise caution when consuming information. Anonymous social media profiles have been spotted leaving hate comments on General Election 2025-related posts. Often times, these are not by real people, but social media bots. According to an article by Microsoft in June 2024, these are automated programmes designed to mimic human users and interact with other accounts. While there are bots which serve a purpose, such as search engine bots and chat bots, there are also malicious ones designed with ill intent. On April 22, the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) said it is looking into these accounts. They noted that these accounts were set up recently and appear to target different political parties. "We will continue to monitor the online space for foreign interference and will act on content that is in breach of our laws. We urge the public to be discerning consumers of information," said MDDI. Differentiating bad actors from real people While MDDI is trying to put a stop to these bots, we can help ourselves by learning how to differentiate between genuine social media accounts and malicious bots. In the abovementioned article by Microsoft, the tech company shared that one giveaway is "unhuman-like behaviour", such as automated responses and lack of personal engagement. These social media accounts may also display a sudden increase in followers and share spam or irrelevant content such as advertisements and suspicious links. Another indicator is the profile leaving identical posts or comments across multiple accounts. Excessive use of hashtags or promotional links is also a red flag. AsiaOne's social media pages have also been targeted by suspected bots. One suspicious profile left similar comments on numerous AsiaOne's Facebook posts asking netizens to vote for the People's Action Party. Despite its strong opinions about the elections, the account states that it is from Wonderland Forest, Virginia. Fortunately, some users have caught on to such dubious accounts. One user said: "Lots of fake accounts popping up." Another asked: "Oh, and we can trust a profile with only one friend?" In their own research, CNA discovered over 900 inauthentic accounts posting more than 5,000 comments in an estimated one-day period, shared an article on April 29. This was after the government first alerted the public to foreigners posting online election advertisements urging Singaporeans to vote along religious lines. Fifteen of the inauthentic accounts posted between 30 and over 70 comments each, while around 290 of them posted only a single comment. Additionally, 26.9 per cent of the inauthentic comments were classified as anti-opposition attacks, 23.9 per cent as religious and political controversy, and 19.1 per cent as anti-establishment and conspiracy. The remaining comments had themes like racial and minority issues, and calls for religious neutrality. How to tell? Suspect something is not right? Here are a few steps you can take to determine if the account is truly a bot. Examine profile details Profiles lacking personal information or photos may be bots. Bots often use generic names and profile pictures. Check activity patterns and review engagement quality Bot accounts typically have consistent posting frequencies and times, often generating a high volume of content. When interacting with other profiles, they may leave generic comments or repetitive responses. Analyse content quality If the content quality is low or irrelevant, it may be a bot. Excessive use of hashtags and promotional links are a tell-tale sign, too. [[nid:717478]] melissateo@
Online Citizen
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Online Citizen
GE2025: RDU condemns online attacks on Liyana Dhamirah as blatant bigotry against Malay-Muslim identity
Red Dot United (RDU) candidate Liyana Dhamirah has filed a police report after facing a barrage of online harassment. The report was lodged on 24 April 2025, following the party's recent press conference. Liyana, a Malay-Muslim woman who wears the tudung, became the subject of targeted attacks after videos from the event circulated on social media. According to RDU, the comments included direct attacks on her religious attire and identity, alongside derogatory racial and gender-based remarks. RDU calls out 'blatant' bigotry In a strongly worded statement, RDU declared that the attacks were 'not veiled jabs' but 'blatant, offensive' assaults on Liyana's identity. 'We stand firmly behind our candidate, Liyana Dhamirah, and will not allow these acts of bigotry to go unchallenged,' the party stated. RDU condemned the remarks as racially and religiously insensitive, affirming that such behaviour has no place in Singapore's political process or social fabric. The party emphasised that Singapore's strength lies in its ability to embrace diversity and respect differences. It warned that attacks based on religion or ethnicity threaten the core values of the nation. The matter is now under police investigation. RDU expressed confidence in the authorities' ability to handle the situation seriously. In the meantime, the party appealed to all Singaporeans to take a stand against racial and religious intolerance. 'Regardless of the parties we support, or the colours we wear in support of them, we are all Singaporeans,' RDU said. They added that the election should be a contest of ideas, not a breeding ground for hate. Opposition leaders raise foreign interference concerns Separately, on 26 April 2025, Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) chairman Paul Tambyah raised alarms over suspected foreign interference in the ongoing election. Tambyah cited activity from bot-like Facebook accounts that appear to be targeting opposition candidates. He urged the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) to respond more robustly to this emerging threat, noting that some accounts may be linked to sources in the United States and China. 'Singapore's politics should remain the domain of Singaporeans,' he said, warning against any manipulation from abroad. MDDI urges vigilance as online accounts target alternative parties with AI-generated disinformation The MDDI on 25 April has advised the public to be cautious when consuming political content online. This came after the emergence of suspicious social media accounts designed to spread disinformation about political figures, many of whom are from alternative parties. The ministry confirmed on 22 April that it had launched an investigation and is actively monitoring for signs of foreign interference. Although initial concerns pointed to foreign influence, authorities now believe the content may not be orchestrated externally. Most posts specifically target opposition parties, particularly the Workers' Party. Channel NewsAsia (CNA) reported a surge in negative posts from unverifiable accounts. Many of these use AI-generated images or impersonate Singaporean users. According to TOC's monitoring, these accounts were created recently and frequently accuse opposition candidates of dishonesty. While some have been identified and reported, most remain active. The Ministry of Home Affairs and the Elections Department also issued a joint statement reaffirming that foreign involvement in domestic politics is prohibited. They highlighted that online election advertising from foreign sources is a breach of the Parliamentary Elections Act. The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) has since directed Meta to block access to several Facebook posts deemed to interfere in the election by invoking racial and religious themes.
Online Citizen
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Online Citizen
MDDI urges vigilance as online accounts target alternative parties with AI-generated disinformation
The Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) has urged the public to be cautious and discerning when consuming political content online, following the emergence of suspicious social media accounts spreading disinformation against political figures. The advisory follows an earlier statement by MDDI, issued on 22 April 2025 in response to media queries, in which it confirmed it was already looking into the suspicious accounts. These accounts, many created shortly before Nomination Day, appear to specifically target opposition parties. The MDDI reiterated on 25 April that it would 'continue to monitor the online space for foreign interference' and would act against content found to be in breach of Singapore's laws. However, despite initial concerns about possible foreign influence, the patterns of the content suggest that foreign interference may be unlikely in this case. The majority of the posts are directed against alternative political parties, especially the Workers' Party (WP), rather than showing the broader destabilisation tactics often associated with foreign meddling. Channel NewsAsia (CNA) reported a flood of negative comments by unverifiable Facebook users directed at both WP and the ruling People's Action Party (PAP), although the volume and intensity were greater against the opposition. The accounts often employ AI-generated images and other forms of manipulated media to present a veneer of authenticity, sometimes posing as Singaporean users. Based on TOC's monitoring, most of these comments came from newly created or unverifiable accounts, many of which falsely labelled the WP as dishonest. Given that screenshots published by TOC confirm several of these accounts are real and active—with visible false claims directed at opposition figures—questions have been raised about the adequacy of the response from both MDDI and Meta. Many of the accounts remain accessible despite public concern. Despite clear evidence of disinformation, neither party has outlined what concrete actions have been taken to remove or mitigate the impact of these accounts. With polling day approaching, the continued presence of coordinated fake accounts poses risks not only to individual reputations but also to public trust in the democratic process. In a statement, the ministry said, 'We will act on content that is in breach of our laws,' reaffirming the government's commitment to counter online misinformation and uphold electoral integrity. The Elections Department (ELD), on its website, describes foreign interference as 'attempts by foreign actors to manipulate domestic politics through covert and deceptive means, which undermines political sovereignty and harms social cohesion.' While that remains a long-term concern, the current situation may point more towards coordinated domestic efforts, though the government has not ruled anything out at this stage.
Straits Times
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Authorities investigating social media accounts targeting political parties
MDDI is urging the public to be discerning consumers of information, in an advisory that addressed a series of new social media accounts targeting political parties. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG SINGAPORE - Internet users who come across online accounts that appear to target different political parties need to be discerning in the kind of information they consume, said the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) The authorities, on their part, will continue to keep an eye on the online space to ensure there is no meddling from foreigners. In response to queries, an MDDI spokesman said: 'We will continue to monitor the online space for foreign interference... (We) urge the public to be discerning consumers of information.' The Government will also take action if online content runs afoul of the law. MDDI said: 'We will act on content that is in breach of our laws.' Foreign interference includes 'attempts by foreign actors to manipulate domestic politics through covert and deceptive means, which undermines political sovereignty and harms social cohesion', said the Elections Department (ELD) on its website. 'Singapore's politics should be decided by Singaporeans alone,' it added. The government advisory addresses a series of social media accounts created shortly before Nomination Day, which appear to target different political parties. MDDI said the social media accounts are under probe. The Straits Times found several were linked to Singaporean phone numbers, while others were created with US ones. The content hosted by these accounts portray a candidate in bad light – often falsely, and target a range of political parties in Singapore. Often, the accounts feature fake images created using artificial intelligence, to pass off as accounts belonging to Singaporeans. Checks by ST found at least 20 such accounts, on platforms such as Instagram and Facebook. Law professor Benjamin Ong, who teaches at the Singapore Management University, said these accounts are unacceptable for any democracy, regardless of the political stripes of the persons or parties targeted. He said: 'The phenomenon of 'fake engagement', including creating multiple accounts to make comments or 'like' posts, involves somebody trying to paint a false impression of what people's views are and how popular they are... There is clearly some intent to deceive, and perhaps, to distort public sentiment.' Professor Edson C. Tandoc Jr, who monitors fake accounts on social media as part of his research at the Nanyang Technological University, said orchestrated political attacks using inauthentic accounts to stir negative sentiment have long operated in other countries. He said: 'These posts may not contain outright falsehoods, placing them outside the scope of anti-fake news initiatives.' Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
