The Director of AIBD, Ms Philomena Gnanapragasam was warmly received by Ms Yong Xin Tian, First Secretary (Political) at the High Commission of the Republic of Singapore and had a successful discussion on building networks to carry out various activities between the two neighboring countries.

Some of the key areas discussed were the Information Ministers` Conclave to be scheduled next year in Samoa. Ms Philomena added that, Singapore can share in the field of media development on fake news with AIBD members.

Speaking futher on ‘fake news’, Ms Philomena spoke of the launch of ‘Angkor Anti-Fake News’ Initiative in Bhutan recently.  It is a big initiative undertaken by AIBD with its member countries. With the help of UNESCO, AIBD has embarked on a year-long research project with two universities in Malaysia and is already conducting various fake news trainings and workshops in the region.

Ms Yong remarked that the fake news initiative is a timely engagement by AIBD and she added that Singapore, after years of research on the threat of fake news have passed new laws which came under Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Bill.