During the Budget 2026 debate on February 24, Kebun Baru Member of Parliament Henry Kwek called on the Singaporean government to “adequately and sustainably” fund public media in the face of rising AI-generated misinformation. Kwek emphasized that public service media serves as both Singapore’s “truth infrastructure” and “trust infrastructure”, mentioning well-known publications such as The Straits Times, Zaobao, CNA, and Business Times.
“In the age of AI-generated disinformation, public service media stand between our people and a manipulated information space,” Kwek stated. He urged the government to ensure that such media receive sufficient funding to uphold their critical role. Kwek also pointed out that stable funding could inspire media professionals, enhancing their prospects within the industry. He described media as a vital source of trust and a key element in Singapore’s soft power.
Kwek’s comments came alongside a broader discussion on how technology is transforming lives. He highlighted several areas where Singapore can accelerate its development within an AI-driven landscape. This includes collaborating with major tech firms like Google and Microsoft to develop a tailored AI-centric development stack. Kwek proposed that IT contracts should mandate AI-centric methods to expedite AI adoption among citizens, drawing a parallel to the implementation of Building Information Modelling (BIM) in construction.
“When the Singapore government becomes the driver of demand, industry follows,” Kwek asserted, underscoring the importance of government leadership in fostering technological advancement. Additionally, he advocated for innovation grants aimed at supporting tech-capable small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as well as larger corporations. He emphasized the need for the government to actively assist SMEs in adapting to AI technologies.
“In an AI-centric world, where AI agents transact and AI systems make decisions, trust becomes the precious commodity in the digital economy,” Kwek remarked, highlighting the growing significance of trust in technology-driven interactions.
Kwek’s warnings come amid reports illustrating how AI tools are increasingly being utilized to disseminate misinformation on a large scale. Recent investigations revealed that hundreds of AI-generated, Chinese-language YouTube videos targeting Singapore, particularly Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, have emerged as part of a coordinated disinformation campaign. According to CNA, nearly seven in ten videos specifically attacked Wong, propagating false claims about political discord and leadership threats.
The investigation disclosed that the videos promoted several misleading narratives, including conspiracy theories suggesting that Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong was plotting to replace Wong and claims of imminent economic collapse. These assertions starkly contradict official statistics, which indicate that Singapore’s port handled a record 44.66 million containers in 2025, maintaining its position as the world’s second-busiest container port.
Evidence of coordinated activity was found across at least ten channels, with accounts creating profiles just minutes apart and identical scripts and visuals uploaded simultaneously. Some content even featured an AI-generated likeness of the late investor Charlie Munger, further underscoring the sophisticated nature of these disinformation efforts.
As the landscape of media and information continues to evolve, Kwek’s call for sustainable public media funding underscores the essential role of trusted information sources in maintaining public confidence. The ongoing challenges posed by AI-generated misinformation highlight the urgency for both governmental action and industry cooperation to safeguard the integrity of information within Singapore.
Photo courtesy of Henry Kwek, Facebook.
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