Rejection of Application by \The Online Citizen Asia\" to Cancel Correction Direction Under the Protection From Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act 2019"

1.      The Minister for Home Affairs has rejected an application (the “ Application ”) by “The Online Citizen Asia” (“ TOCA ”) to cancel the Correction Direction issued to it on 21 May 2021, pursuant to section 11 of the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act 2019 (the “ POFMA ”).

2.      On 18 May 2021, TOCA shared an Instagram story by Instagram user @nichology on its online platforms, which contained falsehoods alleging that Police officers had taunted and reprimanded an elderly woman for not wearing a mask.

3.      On 21 May 2021, a correction direction was issued to TOCA, requiring it to post a correction notice in the form of a new Facebook post on its Facebook page, stating that an earlier post on the account contained a false statement of fact, together with a link to the Factually article which sets out the correct facts (the “ Correction Direction ”).

4.      The conditions for issuing the Correction Direction are satisfied, and the Application did not disclose any grounds to the contrary. After having carefully considered the Application, the Minister for Home Affairs has decided to reject it. TOCA has been notified of the rejection.

5.      For the correct facts, please refer to the Factually article titled “Clarifications on Online Posts Alleging Police Bullying” at https://www.gov.sg/article/factually210521 .