Singapore Blocks East Asia Forum Access for Second Time
Internet service providers in Singapore were ordered to block access to the Australia-based academic website East Asia Forum due to non-compliance with a correction direction by the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA) Office. The Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) and Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) announced this on Friday, two days after the POFMA order was issued. This is the second time Singapore has blocked access to East Asia Forum over a POFMA order, with the first incident occurring in September 2023. The recent order relates to an article published on January 14 titled “Singapore’s new prime minister entangled in old politics,” which the PMO deemed to contain false statements about the country’s governance.
East Asia Forum’s Response
Despite multiple reminders to comply with the correction direction, East Asia Forum had not adhered to the requirements. The correction direction issued on January 22, 2025, had mandated the display of both factual information and falsehoods to allow users in Singapore to make informed judgments. A check by CNA revealed that East Asia Forum posted a correction notice at the bottom of the article, acknowledging the presence of falsehoods and providing a link to the government’s clarification. The platform also included a rebuttal explaining its disagreement with the POFMA order. East Asia Forum highlighted that some claims in the POFMA order were not accurately attributed to the author, Michael Barr, and addressed the inaccuracies in the article.
POFMA Office’s Actions
Apart from blocking access to East Asia Forum, the POFMA office issued targeted correction direction notices to Meta Platforms, LinkedIn, and X for failing to carry correction notices on their platforms linking to the disputed article. These social media platforms are required to communicate the correction notice to all users in Singapore who accessed or will access the posts. The government emphasized that the East Asia Forum article contained false and misleading assertions regarding Singapore’s ruling elite and events involving Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his siblings.
Government’s Clarifications
According to Factually, the government’s fact-checking website, the East Asia Forum article made inaccurate claims about the Singapore government’s actions and motivations. The article alleged that resources were misused to pursue personal agendas and memorialize Lee Kuan Yew. Factually clarified that police investigations involving Lee Hsien Loong’s sibling were due to false statements made under oath, and no decision had been reached regarding 38 Oxley Road. The government refuted the misleading assertions made in the East Asia Forum article, emphasizing the importance of factual accuracy in public discourse.
Implications of POFMA Order
The repeated blocking of access to East Asia Forum underscores Singapore’s commitment to combatting online falsehoods and ensuring the dissemination of accurate information. The enforcement of correction notices on social media platforms signals the government’s proactive approach to correcting misinformation and upholding the integrity of public discourse. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, regulatory measures like POFMA play a crucial role in safeguarding the online environment and promoting responsible communication practices.
Having accurate and reliable information is essential in making informed decisions and shaping public opinion. It is crucial for both content creators and consumers to exercise diligence in verifying facts and sources to prevent the spread of misinformation. By promoting transparency and accountability in online content, regulatory frameworks like POFMA contribute to a more trustworthy and credible digital ecosystem. As Singapore navigates the challenges of the digital age, maintaining a balance between freedom of expression and responsible information sharing remains paramount in fostering a well-informed society.
