Fake news law
Singapore anti-vaccination website has to flag content as hoax
The “Truth Warriors” website must henceforth mark its content as incorrect information (symbol image).
© tommy / Getty Images
The Singapore-based Truth Warriors website spreads that coronavirus vaccines are neither safe nor effective. Now the Ministry of Health obliges them to label their content as untruths.
Much of the content posted on the Truth Warriors website suggests that COVID-19 vaccines are not effective. “This content comes from untested and dubious sources, and those who follow the advice of the Truth Warriors can endanger themselves and those around them,” said Singapore’s health ministry.
Under Singapore’s “Fake News” law, the website operators are obliged to warn readers that their content contains false statements of fact, according to the Ministry of Health. In addition, a criminal investigation is ongoing.
Misinformation about vaccination rates and an anti-parasitic drug
According to the ministry, these include statements such as “The countries with the highest vaccination rates have the most illnesses and deaths per million people and the countries with the lowest vaccination rates have the fewest illnesses and deaths per million people” and “Vaccines do not protect against infection with Covid-19 “. That is not the case: some countries with the lowest vaccination rates have few reported corona deaths, but according to the Ministry of Health, this is probably due to poor recording of vaccinations and deaths.
In addition, “Truth Warriors” is spreading false information about ivermectin, an anti-parasitic drug that is touted as an alternative to vaccination by vaccine skeptics. There is no scientific evidence that it reduces the transmission of the coronavirus. “Ivermectin is a prescription drug that is specifically approved in Singapore for the treatment of parasitic worm infections,” said the Ministry of Health. “Anyone convicted of illegally selling these drugs could face a fine of up to $ 50,000 and / or a prison term of up to two years under the Health Products Act.”
Poor level of freedom of the press
The Singapore law passed in 2019, which is officially called the “Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act”, is considered to be one of the most far-reaching laws against false information in the world. Right from the start, critics and human rights organizations warned that the law could be used to restrict freedom of expression and target government critics. Singapore’s government rejected the objections.
The fact that the freedom of the press in Singapore is not doing well in international comparison is shown by the “Ranking of press freedom 2021” by Reporters Without Borders: Singapore fell two places compared to the previous year and ranks 160th out of 180.
sources: Singapore’s Ministry of Health, Reporters without borders