First, some fun with our neighbour's saga: From 'corruption money' to 'donation money'. Possible and probable though most will keep a healthy scepticism.
"AGC issues take-down notice to TOC for 'patently false' article -
The Attorney-General's Chambers says the author of an article on The Online Citizen made a "patently false statement" that monies raised from the issuance of Singapore Savings Bonds would be used to finance an underground city."
What is this all about?
Lessons for me are:
1. if it is BASELESS and cannot be verified, TOC simply be smart and take it down as requested! Simple!;
2. of course, the next question is: how can TOC prevent publication of ANY baseless and unsubstantiated articles in future? Surely it is reasonable for TOC, or any other public media entities to VERIFY the source and authenticity of any write-up by anonymous person(s). Yes?;
3. can someone make this 'intervention by AGC' an act to 'silence' sensationalism and the much loved 'freedom of speech and expression'? For me, it is 'patently NOT'! If any publishers, cannot, when challenged by the authorities to reveal or confirm the authenticity of whatever that had been written, it simply has to be taken down! Period!
It will be interesting to see the Singapore internet police to go overdrive as the GE draws nearer as 'the NET' WILL be a fairly powerful source of INSTANT updates that can be TRUE or Misleading comments and assertions! In an instant emotion can be aroused where rational and objective good decision making will be impossible! The authorities SIMPLY have to pay attention to this aspect and BE PREPARED to spring into actions should the NET got hijacked and spread half-truth and/or untruth!!
"AGC issues take-down notice to TOC for 'patently false' article -
The Attorney-General's Chambers says the author of an article on The Online Citizen made a "patently false statement" that monies raised from the issuance of Singapore Savings Bonds would be used to finance an underground city."
What is this all about?
Lessons for me are:
1. if it is BASELESS and cannot be verified, TOC simply be smart and take it down as requested! Simple!;
2. of course, the next question is: how can TOC prevent publication of ANY baseless and unsubstantiated articles in future? Surely it is reasonable for TOC, or any other public media entities to VERIFY the source and authenticity of any write-up by anonymous person(s). Yes?;
3. can someone make this 'intervention by AGC' an act to 'silence' sensationalism and the much loved 'freedom of speech and expression'? For me, it is 'patently NOT'! If any publishers, cannot, when challenged by the authorities to reveal or confirm the authenticity of whatever that had been written, it simply has to be taken down! Period!
It will be interesting to see the Singapore internet police to go overdrive as the GE draws nearer as 'the NET' WILL be a fairly powerful source of INSTANT updates that can be TRUE or Misleading comments and assertions! In an instant emotion can be aroused where rational and objective good decision making will be impossible! The authorities SIMPLY have to pay attention to this aspect and BE PREPARED to spring into actions should the NET got hijacked and spread half-truth and/or untruth!!
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