SINGAPORE: Three Nominated Members of Parliament (NMPs) have proposed amendments to the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Bill first tabled in the House on Apr 1.
It is due for a second reading at a Parliament sitting next week.
AdvertisementThe NMPs - Associate Professor Walter Theseira, Ms Anthea Ong and Ms Irene Quay - said in a public statement that while they agree with the legislative intent of the Bill, they are concerned that it "grants the Executive far-reaching powers to control online communications".
[h=3]READ: Singapore proposes multi-pronged law to combat online falsehoods[/h]The Bill has provisions for the minister to issue corrections or take-down orders, if a falsehood affects the public interest. Those who disagree with the directive can appeal first to the minister, then to the courts for recourse.
Academics, non-governmental organisations and individuals in Singapore and globally have expressed misgivings about the proposed law.
AdvertisementAdvertisement"We share these concerns, as such tools could be used by the Executive and future governments to suppress or chill debate and expression for political purposes," the NMPs said in the statement shared on Tuesday.
"The question is: how do we mitigate such concerns, while ensuring that Government has the ability to deal with the full range of threats posed by deliberate online falsehoods?"
[h=3]READ: Online falsehoods law will tackle attempts to 'manipulate opinions, influence elections': PM Lee[/h]They proposed these amendments "after significant consideration and consultation with stakeholders" over three weeks:
- A clause that sets out key principles (“Principles of the Act”) that guide the exercise of powers under the Act including codifying the aim that the Act is targeted at statements that are materially false and not opinions, comments, critiques, satire, parody, generalisations or statements of experiences;
- Requirements that any Directions issued are publicly justified;
- Requirements that the appeals process is expedited; and
- The creation of an independent council to monitor online falsehoods and provide routine oversight on the use of executive powers under the Act, and whose members shall be appointed by a Select Committee of Parliament.
"We believe these amendments preserve the ability of the Executive to act against online falsehoods in the public interest, while ensuring that such decisions are subject to good governance," they added.
[h=3]READ: Proposed law on falsehoods has ‘clear oversight mechanism’ to prevent abuse by Government, says Shanmugam[/h]In a Facebook post on the proposed amendments, Dr Theseira said that they accept the Government's assurances that the Bill is not targeted at opinion and criticism.
"But these assurances may not bind a future Government because the Bill provides tremendous discretionary power, while not recording the Government's assurances in the text of the Bill itself. There is room for improvement," he added.
The NMPs' statement and the proposed amendments have been shared online.
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