SINGAPORE, June 19 (Xinhua) -- Singapore will introduce new legislation to tackle fake news next year, said the Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam on Monday.
The Straits Times quoted Shanmugam as saying that the government has to maintain a strong climate of trust, and be able to counter misinformation spread online as well.
He said the authorities must be equipped to deal with current challenges, and the society, the media and internet companies also have a role to play.
The minister made the statement during his keynote speech at a conference titled "Keep It Real: Truth And Trust In The Media."
According to Shanmugam, Singapore has been "particularly vulnerable" to foreign influences harnessing fake news for their own ends.
An early survey showed that 91 percent of Singaporeans supported stronger laws to ensure fake news is removed or corrected.
