The Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) has once again enforced strict measures against The Online Citizen (TOC) for perpetuating falsehoods on its website and social media platforms. Following a history of spreading misinformation, TOC’s operator is now prohibited from receiving any financial benefits for operating the pages for an additional two years, as confirmed by MDDI on Wednesday. This move signifies the renewal of TOC’s designation as a Declared Online Location (DOL) under the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA).
According to MDDI, the decision to extend the financial benefit ban on TOC’s operator was a necessary step due to the continuous dissemination of false information by TOC, particularly concerning sensitive topics such as the death penalty and various government schemes. The Ministry emphasized that the public needed to be vigilant and fact-check any information obtained from TOC’s online platforms.
One significant aspect of the renewed declaration involved the issuance of a POFMA correction direction to TOC in December 2024, in response to an article insinuating improper transactions involving ministers and exclusive properties. Similarly, another correction direction was issued in February after TOC published inaccurate content regarding property rentals and renovations.
Despite the existing restrictions, TOC persisted in spreading misinformation, prompting MDDI to reiterate the importance of alerting Singaporeans about TOC’s track record of falsehoods. As a result, TOC is mandated to display a notice on each of its pages highlighting its DOL status and advising users to exercise caution when consuming information from the site.
The financial implications of the new declaration remain consistent with the previous order, with TOC’s online platforms allowed to operate but subject to restrictions. Advertisers are required to prevent paid content from being disseminated in Singapore through TOC’s channels. Additionally, financial backing from individuals or entities is prohibited to prevent the proliferation of false information on TOC’s platforms.
Operators of designated online locations, including TOC, have the option to appeal to the Minister for Digital Development and Information for a review or revocation of the declaration. Failure to receive approval for the appeal allows for a further appeal to the High Court. Currently, three other sites besides TOC are marked as DOLs, emphasizing the government’s commitment to combatting misinformation and ensuring the integrity of online content dissemination.
