SG reinforces public service media as trusted platform amid AI misinformation

Public Service Media (PSM) will continue to play a central role in safeguarding trust and credibility in Singapore’s information space, amid the rise of AI-driven disinformation, minister for digital development and information Josephine Teo said during Parliament’s Budget 2026 debate yesterday (2 March). 

Speaking in response to member of parliament for Kebun Baru Henry Kwek, who urged the government to "adequately and sustainably" fund public media, Teo highlighted the risks posed by online falsehoods. "Another risk we face is the spread of disinformation and misinformation, fueled by technologies like AI. As a diverse society, we are particularly vulnerable to online falsehoods that erode trust in our society and institutions," she said.

Teo emphasised that Singapore has been strengthening its libraries and archives to cultivate information literacy and a discerning population.

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The minister also underscored the central role of PSM entities in countering misinformation, noting their wide reach and high public trust. "Our PSM entities reach over 90% of Singaporeans. They remain highly trusted by the public, more so than reputable international and online media outlets," Teo said.

"Consequently, our PSM entities have become indispensable in countering misinformation," she added. 

Furthermore, Teo outlined ongoing initiatives to strengthen the sector, including the establishment of a digital verification team at CNA and collaborations with The Straits Times on the AskST series. "MDDI will therefore continue working closely with our PSM entities to maintain their reach and strengthen their fact-checking capabilities," Teo said.

Addressing Kwek’s concerns about relevance, visibility, and financial sustainability, Teo noted that PSM content also plays a role in nurturing national identity and cultivating news literacy among the young. "Besides delivering timely and credible news, our PSM entities produce content that strengthens our sense of identity as one people. They also play a role in cultivating news literacy among our young, through regular student publications and school competitions," she said.

Teo added that the government will continue investing in PSM and supporting new capabilities as the media landscape evolves. "We are studying approaches in other countries and will consult the industry to ensure that initiatives are implemented reasonably and effectively," she said.

Previously, Kwek had argued that public service media forms the backbone of Singapore’s trust infrastructure, particularly in an AI-driven information environment. "In the age of AI generated disinformation, [public service media] stand between our people and manipulated information space," he said. He called for sustainable funding to ensure the sector remains credible and to give media professionals confidence in their careers.

Kwek also highlighted the broader implications of AI on society and business. He suggested co-developing Singapore’s AI-centric development stack with major tech firms, mandating AI-focused approaches in IT contracts to accelerate adoption, and providing innovation grants and support for SMEs to build AI capabilities. "In the AI-centric world, where AI agents transact and AI systems make decisions, trust becomes the precious commodity in digital economy," Kwek said.

Photo courtesy of Josephine Teo, Facebook.

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