In beta, episode 11: How should we approach “fake news”?

Governments and other institutions are increasingly avoiding the term “fake news”, preferring disinformation.

But if the term has fallen out of fashion, policy responses to the issues it evokes show few signs of abating. In Singapore, the government has just signalled their intention to develop a new law to tackle “online falsehoods.” This follows an extensive public consultation which, on paper, seems like an admirable commitment to openness, transparency, and accountability. The reality, according to local activist Kirsten Han, was somewhat different. She tells us what happened in this episode, which also features an in-depth look at a new report on disinformation with Fanny Hidvegi of Access Now.