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Online Citizen
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Online Citizen
Lawyer flags potential inaccuracy in Minister Ong's 'no penalties' claim, citing Lianhe Zaobao report
On 4 August, veteran food critic KF Seetoh alleged in a Facebook post that hawkers at Bukit Canberra Hawker Centre were contractually required to provide 60 free charity meals per month under a 'Pay It Forward' scheme, and that penalties could be imposed for non-participation. On 11 August, Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung — who is also the Member of Parliament for Sembawang GRC, where the hawker centre is located — responded on Facebook. He stated: 'There are no penalties if they do not or are unable to provide the meals. This simple, well-intentioned initiative was meant to encourage our hawkers to 'Pay-It-Forward'. In any case, the initiative has yet to commence.' Ong's post sought to clarify that the programme was voluntary in spirit, not enforced, and carried no consequences for non-participation. However, on 13 August, Lianhe Zaobao reported it had reviewed stallholder contracts signed in 2022 and found that they did contain penalty clauses tied to both the charity meal scheme and a loyalty programme. Each breach would result in six demerit points and a S$50 fine. Accumulating 12 points within a year could prevent lease renewal, while 24 points could lead to lease termination. The next day, 14 August, Singapore lawyer Yeoh Lian Chuan referred to Zaobao's report in a Facebook post. He argued that Ong's statement was, in his opinion, 'false or misleading within the meaning of POFMA' because it could convey to at least some readers that no penalty clauses existed at all — rather than that they simply were not being enforced yet. Yeoh stressed that he believed any inaccuracy was likely due to inadequate briefing rather than deliberate misrepresentation. Nonetheless, he saw the case as 'yet another illustration' of why POFMA is, in his view, 'a bad law'. Context: POFMA's scope and one-sided powers The Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA) allows only ministers to issue correction or takedown directions. In practice, this means a minister could only be subject to a correction direction if another minister chose to issue one — a scenario that has not occurred. The Bukit Canberra Hawker Centre case involves a Social Enterprise Hawker Centre (SEHC), part of a government-managed public policy framework. In theory, the matter could have warranted a POFMA direction from the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, just as the Minister for Manpower previously issued one over reports by a Chinese-language site, The Online Citizen (TOC) and Gutzy Asia about the identity of a woman who had taken her own life. Critics argue this shows POFMA's reach over public policy issues — but also its one-sided nature, since ministers themselves are outside its enforcement scope. Past use of POFMA on media reporting The Online Citizen (TOC) has received multiple POFMA correction directions over the years, often not for its own editorial statements but for its reporting of remarks made by third parties. In The Online Citizen Pte Ltd v Attorney-General [2021] SGCA 96, the Court of Appeal affirmed that under POFMA, it is the issuing minister who has the legal prerogative to determine the meaning of the statement in question. The court held that challenges must be mounted on whether the statement is false as interpreted by the minister, rather than on whether that interpretation is the most reasonable or accurate reading in the eyes of the public. This ruling places a high burden on recipients of POFMA directions. A publisher must prove that the statement, in the meaning assigned by the minister, is true — even if the publisher disputes that this was the meaning they conveyed or intended. The judgment did not examine how this broad interpretive power interacts with constitutional rights to freedom of expression under Article 14 of the Singapore Constitution, focusing instead on statutory compliance and process validity. Critics say this creates a one-sided enforcement structure. Because only ministers can issue correction directions, there is no public mechanism to compel corrections from ministers themselves, even if their own statements are later shown to be inaccurate. Following two such correction directions in 2024 and 2025 — over TOC's reporting on questions about People's Action Party ministers' sale and purchase of Good Class Bungalows and the circumstances surrounding state-owned rental property — TOC was once again classified as a Declared Online Location. This designation makes it illegal for the site to receive financial benefits from its operations for the next two years, effectively crippling its ability to sustain itself commercially. By contrast, Bloomberg and The Edge Singapore, both of which have been the subject of more than three POFMA 'statements of fact' over their reporting, have not been issued with a Declared Online Location order. Despite repeated queries, the Ministry of Digital Development and Information has not provided a direct explanation for this apparent double standard. Minister Ong, who is also the Member of Parliament for Sembawang GRC where Bukit Canberra Hawker Centre is located, has not publicly addressed the apparent discrepancy between his 'no penalties' statement and Zaobao's reporting of the penalty clauses in stallholders' contracts.
Online Citizen
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Online Citizen
Singapore tightens digital media laws as trust in news declines to 45%, says Reuters report
Singapore's traditionally tight media regulations have increasingly extended into digital and social platforms. Ahead of the May 2025 general election, authorities enacted a law targeting deepfakes and digitally altered media involving political candidates. The regulation forms part of a broader legislative framework that includes the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA) and the Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act. These laws aim to manage misinformation and protect public confidence in government institutions. According to the Digital News Report 2025 by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, the new deepfake law prohibits publishing or sharing AI-generated or digitally manipulated content that falsely depicts political candidates saying or doing things they did not. The law is broad, covering both favourable and unfavourable portrayals. It excludes animations, beauty filters, and entertainment-style memes. Platforms that fail to comply with takedown orders risk fines of up to US$1 million. This regulation follows increasing use of visual platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok for news. Usage of these platforms rose by 4 percentage points for YouTube and Instagram, and by 3 percentage points for TikTok. POFMA enforcement and high-profile corrections Singapore's POFMA gives ministers powers to order corrections of online content deemed false or harmful to public confidence. In November 2024, activist Kokila Annamalai received correction orders after alleging arbitrary executions in Singapore's criminal justice system. While Meta and X complied with the correction demands, Annamalai did not and now faces potential imprisonment. The government's rebuttals were posted on its official Factually website. In a separate case, multiple outlets including Bloomberg, The Edge, and The Online Citizen were directed to correct reports involving real estate deals linked to government ministers. Bloomberg noted it complied under protest and reserved the right to appeal. The ministers involved have since filed defamation suits against Bloomberg and one of its reporters. The Online Citizen faces extended restrictions Singapore also extended its restriction on The Online Citizen (TOC), preventing it from earning revenue from its website and social platforms until 2027. This follows its continued status as a Declared Online Location (DOL) under POFMA since July 2023. Originally set to expire on 21 July 2025, the ban was extended by the Ministry of Digital Development and Information on 11 June 2025. Authorities said the extension was necessary due to TOC's persistent publication of alleged falsehoods. However, on 13 June, Mary Aileen Diez-Bacalso, Executive Director of the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), expressed serious concern, criticising the move as a troubling use of POFMA to silence dissent and suppress free expression, and urged the government to stop further eroding Singapore's shrinking civic space. Terry Xu, chief editor of TOC, described the extended DOL as a clear act of oppression against independent media and a targeted attack on the outlet. 'If the DOL were applied strictly according to the letter of the law, then Bloomberg and The Edge should have been subjected to the DOL as well, since they were issued Correction Directions containing more than three statements deemed false,' Xu argued. He also noted, 'It is particularly noteworthy that the Correction Directions involved in the declaration are linked to Minister K Shanmugam — the very person who introduced the POFMA law in the first place.' Mainstream media adapt through AI and consolidation Despite the regulatory environment, mainstream outlets such as Channel News Asia (CNA) continue to be trusted and widely used. CNA, part of the state-owned Mediacorp group, leads online news usage at 47%. Its broader media network includes Channel 5 and Channel 8, each with a 23% weekly reach. CNA has also expanded internationally to the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada as of March 2024, marking its 25th anniversary. However, Mediacorp also made strategic consolidations. In early 2024, it shut down TODAY, a digital newspaper once Singapore's second most-read outlet. The decision aimed to refocus resources towards CNA's digital newsroom, which now produces long-form weekend content. Mediacorp has been investing in semi-automated production processes such as FASTs—AI-generated news summaries aimed at mobile and social-first audiences. The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) also released updated training guidelines urging media professionals to gain skills in generative AI and virtual production. The Reuters survey shows 7% of respondents have used AI chatbots to access news content. Digital-native outlets and language diversity The second most-used digital news platform in Singapore is Mothership at 46%, followed by the Straits Times, published by SPH Media Trust. SPH also operates Lianhe Zaobao (8% reach), Berita Harian (4%), and Tamil Murasu (1%), catering to Singapore's multilingual population. Yahoo! News, which ranks fourth in usage at 21%, recently shifted to full content syndication, laying off its editorial and social teams. This move signals industry-wide pressures on traditional news production. The report confirms a continued shift in news consumption habits. Social media and digital channels are now the primary sources of news. Platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook held steady, while younger-skewing services saw modest growth. In contrast, traditional platforms such as television and print have seen steep declines in use over recent years. Public trust in news continues to slide Public trust in news fell by 2 percentage points to 45%, despite legacy brands maintaining relatively high individual trust scores. The Straits Times (75%), CNA (74%), and Channel 5 (73%) were the most trusted among respondents. Alternative and independent outlets continue to lag behind in public trust, attributed to their shorter histories and focus on viral or controversial content. Singapore ranked 126th out of 180 in the 2024 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders. Despite a technologically advanced media ecosystem, restrictions under POFMA and similar laws continue to limit media independence.
CNA
11-06-2025
- Business
- CNA
The Online Citizen's operator to be barred from financial benefit for two more years over repeated falsehoods
SINGAPORE: The Online Citizen's (TOC) website and social media pages have once again been designated as Declared Online Locations (DOL) over repeated falsehoods. The declaration under the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA) applies to TOC's website and its pages on Facebook, Instagram, and X. It will prohibit TOC's operator from receiving financial benefits from running the pages for another two years, said the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) on Wednesday (Jun 11). This is the second such declaration against TOC following a similar one in July 2023. The new declaration will come into effect on Jul 22, after the existing one expires, and will remain in force until noon on Jul 21, 2027, MDDI added. The ministry said the renewed designation was necessary as TOC had continued to spread falsehoods over the past two years, including on topics such as the death penalty and financial and social assistance schemes. "Members of the public are advised to be aware of TOC's history of communicating falsehoods on its online platforms, and to fact-check information published on these online locations," it added. An online location such as a website or webpage is declared as a DOL if it has carried three or more different false statements of fact that are the subject of active POFMA directions. At least three statements must also have been communicated to the online location in the six months before the DOL declaration. RECENT POFMA ORDERS In December 2024, a POFMA correction direction was issued to TOC after it published an article and social media posts that insinuated that parties, including ministers, are allowed to transact Good Class Bungalos away from public scrutiny or government oversight. In February, a correction direction was issued after TOC published an article and social media posts that made false statements about the rental of and works carried out at 26 Ridout Road. "Despite the current declaration, TOC has continued to communicate falsehoods through its online platforms over the past two years ... a new declaration is therefore necessary to ensure Singaporeans continue to be alerted to TOC's record of communicating falsehoods," said MDDI. Under the order, TOC must carry a notice on each of its pages to alert readers that it has been declared a DOL, that it had communicated multiple falsehoods and that viewers should exercise caution when using it for information. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS MDDI said that the conditions of the new declaration are unchanged from the current one. TOC's online platforms are also not required to cease operations. Digital advertising service providers must "take reasonable steps" to ensure that paid content on TOC's platforms is not communicated in Singapore. Individuals and companies are also not allowed to provide financial support to TOC's sites to avoid promoting the spread of falsehoods on these platforms. TOC's operator may apply to the Minister for Digital Development and Information to suspend, vary or cancel the declaration. If the Minister refuses the application, an appeal can be made to the High Court. There are currently three other sites that are marked as DOL. They are the websites and social media pages of Transformative Justice Collective, Gutzy Asia and Mr Kenneth Jeyaretnam.
Online Citizen
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Online Citizen
Paul Tambyah warns of political decline in Singapore, urges hope and reform post-GE2025
SINGAPORE: Chairman of the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), Paul Tambyah, delivered a critique of Singapore's political environment during a party appreciation dinner held on 18 May 2025. He accused the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) of systematically limiting opposition participation and stifling democratic development. 'Singapore seems determined to be mired in mediocrity—at least as far as its political leadership goes,' Tambyah said, reflecting on the results of the General Election held on 3 May 2025. Tambyah likened the political contest to a manipulated football match, stating, 'They keep shifting the goalposts, committing professional fouls, trying to shorten access to the pitch for opposition teams.' He warned that such tactics would not only degrade the quality of politics in Singapore but lead to broader societal decline. Referencing the recent election campaign, Tambyah pointed to key issues such as rising living costs and growing inequality. He argued that fear-based narratives had dominated the electorate's decision-making process. 'Fear of the unknown, fear of an unstable US president, fear that we will not survive without vouchers and $1 deals—this seems to have won the day,' he said. Despite the disappointing election outcome, Tambyah maintained that the SDP remained committed to its principles. 'There are things we could have done better, but we should not blame ourselves or the people of Singapore,' he noted. He drew parallels between Singapore and other authoritarian regimes, suggesting that the tactics used by the PAP are consistent with broader global patterns. Quoting from political science literature, Tambyah stated, 'Authoritarian regimes which hold regular elections tend to last longer than dictatorships who don't.' The observation was originally made by Nic Cheeseman and Brian Klaas in their book How to Rig an Election. Nevertheless, Tambyah offered a message of hope. He envisioned a future in which Singapore could become a 'functioning democracy' like Japan, Taiwan, or South Korea. He urged his audience to consider the long-term view. 'One day, maybe 10, 20 years from now—but hopefully sooner—Singapore will become a functioning democracy.' Tambyah posed rhetorical questions that pointed to curbs on civil liberties: 'Where were you when it was illegal to take a picture of yourself with a smiley face outside a state building? When people couldn't walk to the Istana to deliver a letter?' He continued, 'Where were you when the POFMA law was used to silence criticism… or when ministers dined with billion-dollar money launderers and no one said anything?' He praised the SDP for being the lone political voice standing firm through these challenges. 'One political party spoke up, went to court, and took a stand—because of you,' he told members. He affirmed that the party's persistence in contesting elections, despite the odds, was driven by the belief in a better Singapore. Quoting an earlier interview with the South China Morning Post, Tambyah reiterated the spirit within the party: 'Many say the SDP doesn't have members—we have believers.' He emphasised the conviction of his fellow party members: 'Until that breakthrough comes, we stay true to ourselves, speaking truth to power.' The appreciation dinner also featured key announcements from SDP Secretary-General Chee Soon Juan, who introduced the party's five-year plan titled Renew, Rebuild, Reignite. The strategy includes three core initiatives: A coalition for electoral reform. The launch of the Orange and Teal Social Enterprise Co-operative. A youth outreach programme aimed at engaging younger Singaporeans in civic discourse. Tambyah also expressed heartfelt tribute to the party's volunteers. He credited their unwavering dedication during the GE2025 campaign, saying, 'This dinner is for you.' He acknowledged the many unseen contributions—flyer distribution, rally setup, and navigation of logistical and bureaucratic challenges. Dr Tambyah contested in Bukit Panjang Single Member Constituency (SMC) during the General Election on 3 May 2025, but was defeated by PAP candidate Liang Eng Hwa, who secured 61.41 per cent of the vote. Tambyah garnered 38.59 per cent of the vote. A total of 31,131 valid votes were cast, with 19,116 going to the PAP and 12,015 to the SDP.
Malay Mail
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
The price of a pen — when free speech hits the fan in South-east Asia — Che Ran
MAY 15 — In a region as diverse and vibrant as Southeast Asia, words have always carried a special weight. Here, where languages blend and histories intertwine, the power of the written word is a force to be reckoned with. It can inspire revolutions, topple governments, and challenge the status quo – or, in more delicate times, it can simply remind us of our shared humanity. Arundhati Roy, the indomitable Indian author, stands as a symbol of this uneasy dance. Her latest skirmish with the Indian government – a 'terror' case for the sin of speaking her mind – has become a global spectacle. But the echoes of her battle reach far beyond India's borders, resonating in the humid halls of power across Southeast Asia, where governments have perfected the art of silencing dissent. In India, Roy's sharp tongue and unflinching pen have long been a thorn in the side of the establishment. She has exposed uncomfortable truths about caste, class, and the erosion of democracy. In a nation where the press is increasingly muzzled and dissent is branded as betrayal, her every word is a provocation – a reminder that not all voices can be bought or buried. But India is not alone in this delicate, dangerous dance. From Singapore's POFMA (Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act) to Thailand's lèse-majesté laws, the region has a long history of trimming the tongues of its truth-tellers. The methods vary – fines, arrests, smear campaigns – but the message remains the same: Speak at your own risk. Take Malaysia, a country where the pen has proven mightier than the sword in recent history. It was here that The Edge, one of the nation's most influential business publications, dared to report on the largest financial scandal the world has ever seen – 1MDB. Its editor, Ho Kay Tat, faced jail for exposing the truth, and the prime minister who once held the reins of power now sits behind bars. Yet, this is also a country that has seen significant change. There was a time when whistleblowers like Kevin Morais met brutal fates for speaking out against corruption. But today, Malaysia stands at a crossroads – a place where freedom is no longer just a whispered hope, but a growing expectation. In Myanmar, the price of truth can be even steeper. The 2021 military coup shattered the fragile democracy that had been painstakingly built over decades. Journalists like Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were thrown into prison for their courageous reporting on the military's brutal crackdown on the Rohingya, exposing the dark underbelly of a state desperate to control its narrative. Even now, under the harsh rule of the Tatmadaw, speaking the truth can be a death sentence, as independent media outlets are raided, shuttered, or forced into exile. Indonesia, too, has felt the weight of this pressure. Its democracy, young and fragile, is haunted by the ghosts of Suharto's iron-fisted rule. The echoes of the New Order era still reverberate, and journalists here still tread carefully, knowing that the wrong story can summon the heavy hand of the state. The murder of activist Munir Said Thalib, who was poisoned on a flight in 2004, serves as a grim reminder that even today, dissent can come at a devastating cost. Even now, the fear of being 'red-tagged' – labelled a communist or a threat to national security – is enough to chill the spine of any writer. In neighbouring Singapore, the approach is more surgical, precise – a scalpel to Malaysia's cautious balancing act. The city-state's leaders have perfected the art of legal intimidation. POFMA, with its bureaucratic sheen and clinical efficiency, allows the government to call out 'falsehoods' with the speed and finality of a guillotine. It is a system built not just to silence, but to humiliate – to remind its citizens that the truth is a privilege, not a right. Rappler CEO and Nobel Laureate Maria Ressa gestures after a Manila court acquitted her from a tax evasion case, outside the Court of Tax Appeals in Quezon City, Philippines January 18, 2023. — Reuters pic And then there's the Philippines, where journalists face not just the law, but the barrel of a gun. It is a country where the free press has become a blood sport, where a critical headline can get you killed. Maria Ressa, the Nobel Prize-winning journalist, knows this all too well. Her fight for truth against a regime that branded her a criminal is a stark reminder that in some parts of South-east Asia, words don't just cut – they bleed. Yet, despite the risks, despite the threats, the voices of dissent refuse to be silenced. Because in every censored article, every banned book, every whispered truth, there is a defiance that cannot be snuffed out. South-east Asia's storytellers know this – that their words, however dangerous, however costly, are the lifeblood of democracy. So when Arundhati Roy stands in a courtroom, defiant and unbowed, she carries with her the echoes of every silenced voice, every censored word, every jailed writer from Colombo to Cebu. She is a reminder that the truth, though battered and bruised, still breathes. And that, perhaps, is what the powerful fear most – the simple, stubborn truth that words, once written, once spoken, cannot be unmade. So here's to the writers, the dreamers, the troublemakers – those brave enough to tell the truth, even when the price is everything. * This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.
