Singapore to Tighten Screws Again on Free Expression

[Papsmearer]

Critic say new bill expands state censorship under guise of ‘online protection’​

The Singapore government is seeking to push through new legislation that, while ostensibly designed to protect citizens from online harm, is being disparaged by critics, including the NGO Civicus Monitor, as political cover to expand state censorship powers, further entrenching government ministers as the arbiters of truth.

If history is any guide, the proposed measure, introduced on October 15 and officially titled the “Online Safety (Relief and Accountability) Bill” (OSRA), is likely to go into effect following the obligatory parliamentary debate. It adds to the restrictions to free expression found in its 2019 predecessor, known as the “Fake News” law, officially titled the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act, or POFMA, cloaking efforts by the government to control narratives and suppress politically damaging material from being widely disseminated online.

“Singaporean authorities frequently use overly broad and restrictive laws to silence criticism of the government and restrict the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly,” said the New York-based Human Rights Watch in its 2025 World Report, including not only POFMA but the Hostile Information Campaigns provisions of the Foreign Interference (Counter-Measures) Act (FICA), “which grants the home minister broad powers to require the removal or disabling of online content, publication of mandatory messages drafted by the government, banning of apps from being downloaded in Singapore, and disclosure of information by internet and social media companies.”…

 

[laksaboy]

Hostile Information Campaigns provisions of the Foreign Interference (Counter-Measures) Act (FICA)...

You're still letting pro-China shills (sometimes anti-Sinkieland rhetoric to show how wonderful their motherland China is) have free license to do what they please.

For example, this Tiong-run Chinese news website, based here:

https://www.yan.sg/

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If the official Wechat channel and 163 dot com mailbox are not red flags, I don't know what is.

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Anyway, the PAP regime has already gone full retard with POFMA, no government is qualified to be the arbiter and gatekeeper of truth. In fact, ALL governments lie or publish half-truths, the totalitarian ones do it more brazenly and frequently.

You have already gone full retard with POFMA, whatever additional 'legislation' you rubberstamp in Parleement is irrevelant now.

 

[True Believer]

The govt realises that they can no longer control the press and use it as their mouthpiece, so they are trying to use POFMA and other similar instruments to suppress alternate voices.

 

[syed putra]

So no more porn as orgasms are fake?

 

[glockman]

The voice of the people cannot be silenced. It will come out one form or another. So there is no point trying to suppress or curtail it. Better for the authorities to focus on not screwing up, be transparent and fair, engage people in conversations. Then it can be a win-win.

 

[bobby]

 

[nabeifuckpap]

PAP wants to be the next CCP they will end up just like China, 65% cunts on this shithole island love to eat shit for 3 meals daily

 

[Truthspeak]

Sheeple will just keep on comply to the government rules.

 

[Papsmearer]

The voice of the people cannot be silenced. It will come out one form or another. So there is no point trying to suppress or curtail it. Better for the authorities to focus on not screwing up, be transparent and fair, engage people in conversations. Then it can be a win-win.

This is the PAP. They will never do that. That is why we need to keep the death penalty. When they are overthrown, we need to round up all the traitors and try them

 

[Papsmearer]

PAP wants to be the next CCP they will end up just like China, 65% cunts on this shithole island love to eat shit for 3 meals daily

there is more freedom in china then singapore. U can get illegal satellite dishes on the black market and watch JAV porn. Singapore can or not?

 

[nabeifuckpap]

there is more freedom in china then singapore. U can get illegal satellite dishes on the black market and watch JAV porn. Singapore can or not?

But China need VPN to access outside internet everywhere else just change DNS can watch porn already