Singapore Bans Fake News, Up To 10 Years In Prison For Disturbing "Public Tranquility"

The law came into effect October 1:
From The Guardian, October 2:

'Chilling': Singapore's 'fake news’ law comes into effect 

Legislation gives government power to order social media sites to put warnings next to posts authorities deem to be false

Singapore’s new law to combat “fake news” has come into effect despite criticism from tech giants and activists, who labelled the tough rules a “chilling” attempt to stifle dissent.

The law gives government ministers powers to order social media sites to put warnings next to posts authorities deem to be false, and in extreme cases get them taken down.

Facebook, Twitter and Google – who have their Asian headquarters in Singapore – were given temporary exemptions from a handful of provisions in the act to give them time to adapt....MORE

Back in April when the legislation was introduced, the Straits Times (also on blogroll at right)  had a seven-point explainer of the proposed law which included:

"...It does not cover opinions, criticisms, satire or parody, which the public can continue to upload and share.

The Bill lists several definitions of public interest: Singapore’s security; to protect public health, public finances, public safety or public tranquility; Singapore’s friendly relations with other countries; to prevent influence on the outcome of an election or a referendum; to prevent incitement of feelings of enmity, hatred or ill will between different groups of people; or to prevent a diminution of public confidence in public institutions...."