This petition concerns the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Bill that was first read in Parliament on 1 April 2019.

Link here: https://www.parliament.gov.sg/docs/default-source/default-document-library/protection-from-online-falsehoods-and-manipulation-bill10-2019.pdf

This petition appeals to the Singapore Government to address public opinion and feedback on the proposed Act, especially with regards to the potential room for abuse. The Government could also take special note of the many suggestions given that could improve the Act.

The proposed POFMA has drawn attention and criticism from many, including academics, media organizations, non-government organisations, and of course, ordinary Singaporeans.

The far-reaching policy will directly impact all end-users and creators of online content. It is thus my opinion that it must be scrutinized, debated, and refined to deserve a place in the letter of the law.

Online falsehoods and manipulation are problems that we must tackle as a united Singapore. We can only do so with a better, clearer, fairer, and more effective POFMA.

I care about this issue because:

a. I am not convinced that the proposed Act will effectively solve Singapore's problems related to online falsehoods and manipulation.

b. I believe that the proposed Act exposes the Singaporean public to unnecessary risks, including abuse of power, moral hazard, conflict of interests, key person risk, and more. Many have suggested that these risks can be eliminated or reduced by appointing an independent body to identify and respond to online falsehoods and manipulation.

c. I genuinely fear that the proposed POFMA will be passed without meaningful improvements if citizens do not make our criticisms known.

I hope you will be able to show your support for a better POFMA by signing this petition.

Further reading:

Parliament: Ministers to decide what is fake news under proposed law 
by Tham Yuen-C, The Straits Times
https://www.straitstimes.com/politics/ministers-to-decide-what-is-fake-news-under-proposed-law

Give judges more leeway under fake news laws
by Cherian George, Today
https://www.todayonline.com/commentary/making-courts-final-arbiter-online-truths-and-falsehoods

Singapore’s proposed ‘fake news’ law could stifle free speech
by Jon Russell, TechCrunch
https://techcrunch.com/2019/04/03/singapore-fake-news-law-free-speech/

Singapore tables far-reaching bill against fake news
by Stefania Palma, Financial Times
https://www.ft.com/content/c9834058-547b-11e9-a3db-1fe89bedc16e

on speech: the slow death of honest discourse
by Sudhir Thomas Vadaketh, Musings from Singapore
https://sudhirtv.com/2019/04/06/on-speech-the-slow-death-of-honest-discourse/

Academic Freedom in Singapore and the “Fake News” Law
by Teo You Yenn, New Naratif
https://newnaratif.com/journalism/academic-freedom-in-singapore-and-the-fake-news-law/