In Singapore, fake news is as bad as illicit drugs

(Mar 14): Singapore intends to treat fake news with the same comprehensive approach as it does illicit drugs while allowing space for a “robust” discourse, according to a cabinet minister involved in discussions on new regulations.

Janil Puthucheary, senior minister of state for communications and information and a member of the committee, said in an interview Monday he favoured an integrated approach similar to the one Singapore uses against drugs. A parliamentary select committee will begin public hearings Wednesday and is expected to make a series of recommendations to lawmakers within months.

“Our approach is never to say that legislation is going to be the be-all-and-end-all, or that regulation is going to be the be-all-and-end-all,” Puthucheary said.

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