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Arthur T Knackerbracket has found the following story:
Rights groups, tech companies, academics and journalists opposed the law, which they say threatens free speech.
A "fake news" law, decried by academics, activists and tech giants, has gone into effect in Singapore, despite warnings that the measures could be used to stifle dissent and free speech in the South East Asian island country.
The law, which was passed by Singapore's parliament in May but took effect on Wednesday, gives government ministers powers to order social media companies to put warnings next to posts authorities deem to be false, order some content to be removed and in some cases block websites deemed to be propagating false information contrary to "public interest".
In April, shortly before the bill passed, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, said the legislation was an "essential part" of fighting fake news and hate speech.
[...] Over 170 academics signed a letter saying the legislation had been fast-tracked without proper input from "key civil society actors."
The law is "likely to have a chilling effect on freedom of expression and academic freedom in Singapore", they said.
(Score: 2) by Arik on Saturday October 05 2019, @06:54PM (2 children)
If laughter is the best medicine, who are the best doctors?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday October 06 2019, @02:03AM (1 child)
Citation needed.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by Arik on Sunday October 06 2019, @02:44AM
But it's closer than Hong Kong, politically.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/singapore-and-china-s-common-interest-greater-than-any-8878812
They've been getting progressively cozier for decades, and the folks that were strongly against the PRC have mostly picked up and left. Leaving it even more strongly pro-PRC.
It's a very convenient asset for China, a money-laundering capital just next door with a compliant government that's happy to deal with them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rIdpYw2ke4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GV0AgsokLNw
Singapore is a tiny and extremely wealthy city state which lies only something like 300 miles south of the closest Chinese claim. It gives them a solid base to the south of Vietnam, which would allow them to invade from both North AND South simultaneously in their next war. It's some extremely important strategic real estate for them and they are quite deeply invested.
https://www.straitstimes.com/business/economy/spore-top-destination-for-china-investments
If laughter is the best medicine, who are the best doctors?