[CALS Article] ST Commentary: Singapore’s social cohesion faces big test in the age of borderless viral hate speech

CALS Director Jaclyn Neo has warned that Singapore’s social cohesion is facing growing pressure from the spread of borderless online hate speech, as global digital platforms increasingly transmit overseas conflicts and divisive narratives into local discourse.

Writing in The Straits Times, Associate Professor Neo said racial and religious harmony remains a foundational pillar and societal “red line” in Singapore, but noted that online content inciting hostility can now reach local audiences with unprecedented speed and scale. Surveys by the Ministry of Digital Development and Information and Smart Nation initiatives have indicated a rise in violent and racially or religiously inflammatory content, highlighting the urgency of the challenge.

Prof Neo observed that the boundary between online and offline harm has become increasingly blurred. Harmful speech that circulates online can normalise discrimination, deepen mistrust between communities and, in extreme cases, contribute to real-world violence. International examples, including incidents linked to viral hate campaigns in Myanmar and India, demonstrate the potential consequences of unchecked digital rhetoric.

To address these risks, she emphasised the importance of preventive legal tools that operate at digital speed. Singapore’s Online Criminal Harms Act (OCHA) allows authorities to direct online platforms and individuals to remove or restrict access to harmful content before it gains widespread traction. The law complements existing legislation such as the Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act, particularly in cases involving overseas actors beyond Singapore’s jurisdiction.

While acknowledging concerns about potential overreach, Prof Neo said timely intervention is necessary given the asymmetry of risk in the digital space, where harmful content spreads far faster than corrective information.

She added that such laws also play an educative role by setting norms for acceptable online discourse and should be accompanied by stronger digital literacy and sustained dialogue across communities to reinforce mutual respect and trust.

To read the full article: https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/singapores-social-cohesion-faces-big-test-in-the-age-of-borderless-viral-hate-speech