Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698838184238.pdf (Singapore)
Written Representation 40 Name: National Library Board Received: 23 Feb 2018 DELIBERATE ONLINE FALSEHOODS – CAUSES, CONSEQUENCES AND COUNTERMEASURES I refer to the invitation for written representations to the Select Committee at https://www.parliament.gov.sg/sconlinefalsehoods.

1.

Critical evaluation skills have never been more important, as we are inundated with information and data at work and at home, in our online and physical interactions.
Since 2013, the National Library (NL) has played a strong role in promoting Information Literacy (IL) through the S.U.R.E (Source, Understand, Research, Evaluate) campaign, which ran from FY2012 - FY2016.

Apart from raising public awareness, a wide variety of educational resources for schools were developed and embedded into the school curriculum through collaboration with the Ministry of Education (MOE).

Assembly talks on S.U.R.E.


were conducted for students during this period, as were training workshops for teachers, parents and working adults.

2.

The National Library seeks to address the listed issues in the Committee’s terms of reference, through public education.

While there is no fresh funding for S.U.R.E., NL as a trusted and reliable source of information and a lead champion of information literacy (IL) remains committed to promoting S.U.R.E.
principles which can be applied across a variety of contexts.

The strategy for the rebooted version of S.U.R.E.

(dubbed “SURE 2.0”) is to be more citizen-centric by focusing on the contextual application of IL skills to enable our citizens to make informed decisions in their daily lives, be it in school, at work or at play.

In addition, NL will also leverage partners’ platforms for the dissemination of IL messages.
The three main thrusts of SURE 2.0 are as follows: (a) SURE for School –Teaching the evaluation of information has never been so important for our children who grow up with smart devices and social media.

NL will redouble efforts to engage with Ministry of Education (MOE) to deepen the teaching of information literacy skills, promote critical thinking and problem solving approaches which are life skills needed for students to succeed and participate in a knowledge society.
(b) SURE for Work –An information literate worker who uses credible and accurate information, is a trusted and reliable worker.

We will work with stakeholders to widen the reach to promote IL skills to working adults through a tiered approach in public education and engagement.

(c) SURE for Life – The recent scourge of fake news poses potential threats to the peace and stability of our society, and on a more personal level also results in losses through scams.
We seek to promote IL to build public confidence to tackle fake news, and to break the cycle of perpetuating rumours.

The three main thrusts of SURE 2.0 in 2018 and 2019 are summarised as follows: Key Message Key Approaches SURE for School SURE for Work SURE for Life Develop crucial life skills by cultivating self- directed, lifelong learners.

Understand the importance of using credible and accurate information to be a trusted and reliable worker.
Make informed decisions as consumers and producers of information.
o Mass awareness o Digital engagement via Facebook, YouTube, Blog (Youth, Parents, Adults, Seniors) o Conduct talks especially for seniors o Develop force multipliers by working with organisations on their public campaign of SURE messages through posters, electronic direct mails, video at partners’ venues and social media channels o Provide e- learning on foundational IL principles o Conduct talks and workshops o Train-the-trainer; infuse IL skills into learning and development curriculum of partners o Entrench IL into the curriculum o Align resources with school’s inquiry-based learning approach for humanities, knowledge & Inquiry subjects and project works o Provide training for educators o Organise learning events and activities to reinforce IL e.g.
learning journey, talks, competitions Stakeholders  Ministry of Education  National Library  Board  NTUC Info- communications Media Authority  National Institute of Education  Civil Service College In Discussion:  Accredited Advertising Agents Singapore  Home Team Academy  SkillsFuture Singapore In Discussion:  Central Narcotics Bureau  People’s Association To approach:  Health Promotion Board  Singapore Police Force These three thrusts will also be supported by marketing and digital engagement efforts, through NLB’s SURE website (www.nlb.gov.sg/sure/), the National Library Facebook page (http://fb.com/nationallibrarySG) and YouTube channel.
The National Library has no financial interest with regards to the subject matter of the Select Committee’s inquiries.

If required, the National Library will be glad to present the details of SURE 2.0 to the Committee.