Committee to study problem of deliberate online falsehoods begins public consultation
Members of the public who wish to share their views on the spread of falsehoods online can now write in to the Select Committee. Photo: Dai Ke/Unsplash
SINGAPORE — Members of the public who want to share their views on the spread of online falsehoods and how the authorities can act against perpetrators can now write in to the Select Committee, which plans to hold public hearings in the second half of March.
Written representations can be submitted in English, Chinese, Malay or Tamil and emailed to selectcommittee [at] parl.gov.sg or mailed to the parliamentary clerk, from now till 4.30pm on February 28.
Authors should disclose if they have any financial or other interests in the subject matter, whether they are willing to appear before the committee to provide evidence, and a brief description of the organisation they represent, if any.
The committee was convened on Jan 10, after Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shaunmugam tabled a motion in Parliament for a 10-member team to consider the entities and individuals that engage in spreading misinformation, their motivations, what consequences the spread of online falsehoods can have on Singapore, and how the Republic should prevent and combat it.
All 80 members in the House voted in favour of the motion.
In a statement issued on Tuesday (Jan 16), Select Committee chairman and Deputy Speaker Charles Chong said: “The Committee’s work will be assisted by hearing a wide range of views from the public. I encourage everyone with an interest in this subject to write in with their views and suggestions.
“I have also asked Members of the Committee to help reach out to individuals and organisations who will add useful perspectives to our work.”
Stakeholders like the media, technology companies, international experts and civil rights groups are expected to be invited to make submissions to the committee. The committee will then report its recommendations to the Parliament.
The committee also comprises Mr Shanmugam, Minister for Social and Family Development Desmond Lee, Senior Minister of State for Communications and Information, and Education Janil Puthucheary, Jurong Member of Parliament (MP) Rahayu Mahzam, Marine Parade MPs Seah Kian Peng and Edwin Tong, Pasir Ris-Punggol MP Sun Xueling, Workers’ Party MP Pritam Singh, and Nominated MP Chia Yong Yong.
