After two years spent studying the threat of fake news, the Republic is taking things a step further with the introduction of sweeping new laws that will, among other things, give Government ministers broad powers to quickly stop the dissemination of online falsehoods and punish those who create and spread them.

These new laws, which will come under a new Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Bill, were tabled in Parliament on Monday (April 1).

The proposed new laws come after a parliamentary committee was set up to study the issue of deliberate online falsehoods and make recommendations on how to fight the scourge.

From fines that could go as high as S$1 million for those found guilty of using falsehoods to undermine society to an explainer about the repercussions of forwarding a fake WhatsApp message, here is a list of TODAY’s stories on the topic which you might have missed:

• Sweeping laws proposed to arm Govt with powers to fight fake news

Under the proposed law, all government ministers will have the power to issue a variety of orders, such as directing online news sites to publish corrections to falsehoods. In extreme cases, they will be able to order the publisher to take down an article or order Internet service providers to disable user access to errant sites.

• Anti-fake news laws: What happens if you forward a false WhatsApp message?

What counts as a falsehood? Will you end up in jail if you share fake news via Facebook or WhatsApp, not realising that it was false? Here are the answers to your burning questions.

• Doxxing to be made a crime punishable by jail, up to S$5,000 fine

Online vigilantes be warned: It will soon be a crime to publish someone else’s personal information with the intention to harass, threaten or facilitate violence against them. Victims of this offence — called doxxing — will be able to seek recourse from the law.

• ‘No impact on free speech’: Law Minister says laws to curb fake news target false statements of facts, not opinions

What happens if the Government is the one spreading the fake news? Is pushing out the laws on fake news a signal that a general election could be held this year? Tough questions posed to the Law Minister.

• Criminal sanctions for malicious actors spreading falsehoods; fines can go as high as S$1 million

The main types of offences and what the proposed penalties are.

• Explainer: How online news sites can be compelled to correct, take down fake news

The types of orders that a Government minister can issue to deal with a false statement of facts and how individuals, publishers, Internet platforms and mainstream media could be affected by such orders.

• Fake accounts, bots that spread fake news to be targeted in new laws

What are the actions that the Government will be able to take against fake accounts and bots? What are the penalties for individuals or companies that fail to comply?

Source: TODAY Online