"SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Enforcing a fake news law in the run up to a national election, authorities in Singapore have ordered that online references to some comments made by opposition figures on key issues must carry a warning that the content contains false information.
Rights groups have long-warned that the law, which came into effect last year and has repeatedly been directed at opposition figures, may be used to silence criticism of the government ahead of the July 10 vote.
Since campaigning began on July 1, opposition candidates have been taken to task under the law over comments made on three issues; government spending for foreign students, plans to grow the city-state’s 5.7 million population to 10 million, and government advisories that discouraged COVID-19 testing for foreign workers.
Concerns about immigration and jobs have dominated discussion during the campaigning as the city-state faces its deepest ever recession due to the coronavirus pandemic.
As yet, no lawmakers from the ruling People’s Action Party - which has governed since independence in 1965 - have been served correction orders."
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