‘Fake news’: Why Facebook and twitter have been put on notice in Singapore

Singapore’s health authorities have invoked a “fake news law” – in response to false COVID-19 claims being shared online.

As Ticker’s International Correspondent Jackson Williams reports, social media platforms will be required to carry a correction notice.

An Indian politician this week called for flights from Singapore to be cancelled – claiming a new Covid-19 strain had been found in the city-state

In a social media post – Delhi’s Chief Minister claimed the Singapore variant was “very dangerous for children”.

Only – no such strain actually exists.

Singapore’s Foreign Minister responded to the tweet.. declaring.. Politicians should stick to facts! There is no “Singapore variant”.

His ministry also issued a statement, expressing its disappointment “…that a prominent political figure had failed to ascertain the facts before making such claims.”

India’s central government has also distanced itself from the false claim, which has spread online.

Singapore’s Health Ministry has now issued a directive to Facebook and Twitter – ordering the social media platforms to carry a correction notice to users.

The order was issued under Singapore’s so-called fake news law, which came into force in 20-19

The financial hub is currently experiencing a spike in COVID-19 infections… leading to a return to tight restrictions – and the postponement of a travel bubble with Hong Kong