Government Commits to Collaboration with Public Service Media to Combat Misinformation, Preserve Audience Reach

Singapore’s public service media outlets have established themselves as essential players in the fight against misinformation, reaching over 90 percent of Singaporeans who place high levels of trust in these sources, according to Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo.

Speaking during her ministry’s budget debate on March 2, Teo emphasized the government’s commitment to maintaining these outlets’ reach while bolstering their fact-checking capabilities. The minister was responding to concerns raised by Members of Parliament Henry Kwek and Tin Pei Ling about combating false information in an era dominated by artificial intelligence and supporting public service media amid industry fragmentation.

MP Tin highlighted Singapore’s vulnerability to sophisticated fake news as an open society, citing AI-generated videos falsely claiming Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s leadership was under threat. These fabricated reports have proven convincingly realistic, with Tin noting that at least one of her constituents “believed the story so wholeheartedly that I found it hard to dissuade him.”

Teo pointed to the exceptional trust that local public service media outlets enjoy compared to their international counterparts. The Reuters Institute’s Digital News Report released last June confirmed this trend, with The Straits Times leading the pack with a 75 percent trust rating among Singaporean audiences, followed closely by CNA at 74 percent and Channel 5 News at 73 percent. By comparison, international outlets like BBC News and CNN received trust ratings of 65 percent and 61 percent respectively.

To strengthen the media ecosystem against misinformation, CNA will establish a dedicated digital verification team. Meanwhile, government agencies have already partnered with The Straits Times on its AskST series, which addresses misinformation directly.

The financial viability of public service media was another concern raised during the debate. MP Kwek referenced the recent troubles at international outlets like The Washington Post, which laid off more than 300 journalists—approximately a third of its staff—in February despite being owned by billionaire Jeff Bezos. Kwek questioned whether Singapore was considering regulatory approaches similar to Australia and Britain, which have enacted legislation requiring smart TV manufacturers to feature local public service media apps prominently to ensure their content remains easily discoverable.

Teo acknowledged the critical role played by Singapore’s public service media and confirmed the government’s commitment to supporting initiatives that maintain their visibility and accessibility. “We are studying approaches in other countries, and will consult the industry to ensure that initiatives are implemented reasonably and effectively,” she said.

The minister reaffirmed the government’s financial support for public service media, referencing the 2022 commitment to provide up to $900 million in funding to SPH Media Trust over five years. This support includes up to $180 million disbursed annually, contingent on meeting key performance targets.

“The Government will continue investing in our public service media entities, helping them develop new capabilities as the media landscape evolves,” Teo stated, underscoring the long-term commitment to maintaining strong, trusted media institutions in Singapore.

The government’s emphasis on supporting public service media comes at a critical time when traditional media organizations worldwide face unprecedented challenges from digital disruption, declining advertising revenues, and the proliferation of misinformation on social media platforms.