building defenses
Singapore’s Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) told CNA that it is aware that multiple online accounts have published a number of videos in recent weeks making “completely fabricated and outlandish claims” about Singapore’s foreign policy and domestic politics.
“It should be clear to Singaporeans and people living here that the video contains a completely fabricated story about current events in Singapore.”
The spokesperson noted that Singapore is not immune to attempts by others to sow mistrust, influence public opinion and interfere in domestic politics.
“Beyond regulatory measures, an informed, vigilant, and discerning public is the first and most important layer of defense against misinformation,” MDDI added, citing public education measures and government-developed resources.
The ministry called on the public to check official sources for accurate information and not to forward content from unknown or unverified sources.
Benjamin Ang, senior fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), said when Singaporeans encounter misinformation or biased narratives in their native language, it can appeal to their own identity.
“If English-speaking fact checkers (or governments) try to debunk them in English, there will be a serious disconnect,” he added. “Capacity building and support in native languages is desperately needed.”
In addition to YouTube, Ang’s team has also considered similar Chinese-language videos on TikTok. On Facebook, CNA also found duplicate or near-identical copies of several videos in the campaign.
Ang, who heads the Center of Excellence for National Security and Digital Impact Research at RSIS, cautioned against hastily attributing deceptive or harmful content to foreign interference.
He pointed to studies that have found a variety of other motivations, including how sensational and political content attracts clicks, increases ad revenue and gains followers that can be later exploited.
Associate Professor Chung said that as efforts to combat disinformation become increasingly sophisticated, the number, variety, narrative, and quality of production of videos and networks is also increasing.
Media and civic literacy are therefore critical to combating these attempts to erode social cohesion and resilience.
“This phenomenon will become more widespread,” he says. “Future products will be even more sophisticated.”
