CIVICUS Monitor highlights Singapore’s tightening grip on online expression and media censorship

In a recent update from the CIVICUS Monitor, a renowned global research collaboration that rates and assesses the state of civil society in 197 countries and territories, serious concerns have been raised about the status of civic space in Singapore.

Key Highlights from the Update:

Online Regulations and Declared Online Locations (DOLs):

As of July 2023, The Online Citizen (TOC) has been marked as a ‘Declared Online Location’ under the Protection against Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA).

This means that the operators of TOC are prohibited from reaping any benefits, financial or otherwise, from the operation of their online platforms, including their website and social media accounts.

This move, initiated by the Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI), was justified by the alleged communication of “multiple falsehoods” on TOC platforms.

Human rights groups have vocalized concerns regarding the legitimacy of DOLs, emphasizing the absence of authorization by an independent judicial authority.

Correction Orders & Directions:

Digital magazine Jom, and activist group Transformative Justice Collective (TJC), among others, faced POFMA-related issues in 2023.

Jom was directed to issue corrections over two pieces in their digest, while the TJC was ordered to add a correction notice on a Facebook post.

Notably, the government’s own platform, Factually, was used as the primary source to counter the supposed misinformation.

Restrictions on Politicians and Critics:

In July 2023, Kenneth Jeyaretnam, Thamil Selvan, and even Lee Hsien Yang, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s younger brother, faced correction directions under POFMA for their statements regarding various political issues and the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP).

Online Criminal Harms Act 2023 (OCHA):

The passage of OCHA in July 2023 was flagged for its potential suppression of freedom of expression and undermining privacy rights.

This Act grants the government sweeping authority to proactively remove online content deemed illegal, including content believed to incite crime.Organizations like FORUM-ASIA and CIVICUS expressed apprehensions over the Act’s scope and its implications beyond Singaporean borders.

Rapper Subhas Nair’s Conviction:

Subhas Nair, a Singaporean rapper, was convicted for attempting to promote ill will among racial and religious groups due to comments made on social media.

Human rights experts have voiced concern about Singapore’s utilization of Section 298(a) of the Penal Code, which could be wielded to suppress valid public discussions.

Restrictions on LGBTQI+ Content Online:

The International Commission of Jurists, in their recent report, highlighted the discriminatory restrictions placed by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) on LGBT-related content online.Material that “advocates homosexuality or lesbianism” is taken into account under the Internet Code of Practice (1997), and films that focus on alternative sexualities face rating and distribution restrictions.

The CIVICUS Monitor’s update paints a worrisome picture of the status of freedom of expression and civil liberties in Singapore.

It emphasizes the challenges faced by individuals, media entities, and organizations in navigating a landscape increasingly characterized by stringent regulations and legal actions.