Fake news boom, and can we mitigate it?

Fake news is a thorny issue. The problem is amplified with social networks globalising digital communications. A study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology indicates that with more people relying on online platforms for social interaction, false information spreads more rapidly on social networks than real news does. For instance, fake news stories are 70% more likely to be retweeted and can reach viewers ten to twenty times faster than facts on Twitter.

In Southeast Asia, the rise in digitalisation has grown in tandem with the proliferation of fake news. Today the region is home to millions of avid smartphone users. It is estimated that 68% of the region’s total population are social media users and young people between 16-24 years old are spending an average of more than 10 hours per day on the internet. This makes the region a perfect breeding ground for fake news.

Source: Martinus, M. (2023, February 15). Can ASEAN mitigate fake news in Southeast Asia? Fulcrum. Retrieved February 24, 2023,

In the ASEAN countries, governments have enacted various types of fake news laws to curtail the spread of fake news, namely to prevent the proliferation of harmful information and preserve national security. With the excerpt in mind, examine the impact of fake news on digital media users and the available laws in Singapore that govern against it. Discuss the benefits and dangers of regulating fake news on digital media and analyse whether a government can implement a self-regulatory model to promote responsibility among users. Give examples from Singapore and other countries in your essay.

Research and Content (80 marks)
Language and Structure of Essay (10 marks) Proper Referencing and Citations (10 marks)

Word count limit: 1500 words (excluding the list of references). Report the word count at the end of your answer. Marks will be deducted for excessive length.

Answer on Above Question on Fake News Case Study

Answer: There is a significant impact of fake news on the digital media users and this can be identified from the fact that fake news results in misinformation and confusion among the users. Fake news also contributes towards erosion of Trust among the members and it becomes the primary reason for social division among the target audience. There are significant adverse economic consequences as well from utilising fake news on the digital media users. With respect to Singapore, there can be significant measures possible in order to address the issue of fake news. One such initiative is the protection from online falsehood and manipulation act (POFMA).

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