The battle against fake news needs to be fought on several fronts, said Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam on Monday (June 19). He gave an update on the ongoing review to tackle fake news during his keynote speech at a conference that discusses the issue. Titled "Keep It Real: Truth And Trust In The Media". The conference (held at SMU School of Law) is organised by The Straits Times and the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (Wan-Ifra), in partnership with SMU and other organisations.
The need for education and trust was also raised at a panel discussion. Crucial steps must be taken to educate people and build up trust in the country's media, said SMU Associate Professor of Law Eugene Tan. The panel, on truth and trust in the digital age, was moderated by The Straits Times editor Warren Fernandez, who is also editor-in-chief of the English, Malay and Tamil Media Group at Singapore Press Holdings. Associate Prof Tan said: "It is important that regulation must not weaken the ability of any society to be able to discern for themselves. Governments cannot do the thinking for the people."