Singapore PM defends ‘fake news’ law amid criticism

Singapore’s leader said on Tuesday that his government’s proposed fake news laws were a “step forward” in fighting online falsehoods amid criticism from press freedom groups and tech giants. Singapore – widely criticized for restricting free speech – last week unveiled tough measures to fight fake news. Speaking during a visit to Malaysia, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that fake news was a “serious problem” and countries such as France, Germany and Australia were legislating to combat it, AFP reports. However, his Malaysian counterpart Mahathir Mohamad, who has long had a prickly relationship with the neighboring city-state, said in a joint press conference that he was worried that governments could abuse such laws.