SINGAPORE: A revealing study by the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) has uncovered intriguing connections between Russian sources and a questionable news site recently blacklisted by Singapore's government.

This alarming revelation raises critical questions about information manipulation on the internet.

Study Overview

Released on October 25, the report titled *Inauthentic Local Lifestyle And News Websites And The Challenge For Media Literacy* was conducted by Mr. Benjamin Ang, head of RSIS’s Centre of Excellence for National Security, alongside associate research fellow Dymples Leong.

The study identified Alamak.io, one of ten websites flagged by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) for dissemination of misleading information.

Findings on Alamak.io

The research revealed that the domain name of Alamak.io links to the Russian site 5plus1.ru, identifiable through its “.ru” country-code top-level domain, pointing to Russian ownership.

Further investigation uncovered that both sites share the same Internet Protocol (IP) address, suggesting a close relationship.

The 5plus1.ru website is affiliated with the Russian communications agency 5+1 Media, founded in 2018 by graduates from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations.

Pattern of Misrepresentation

Compounding concerns, Alamak.io's usage of images sourced from Yandex, Russia's leading search engine, indicates a pattern of deliberate misrepresentation as a local Singaporean site.

Employing the colloquial term "Alamak," typically associated with surprise or dismay in Singapore, the site attempts to evoke familiarity among readers to draw in a local audience.

Content Analysis

The study highlighted that many articles on Alamak.io appear to be repurposed from credible Singaporean news sources, like CNA and The Straits Times, reflecting a troubling effort to obscure their origins.

Investigators noted a significant number of articles may be AI-generated, with some text identified as having an astonishing 98% probability of being composed by artificial intelligence.

Ownership Concerns

While most of the content presented addresses local affairs, the ownership structure remains murky, as researchers could only trace connections to entities in Germany, Estonia, and Russia, without uncovering any Singaporean financial backing or proprietorship.

Implications and Recommendations

Interestingly, unlike many authentic local websites, Alamak.io does not run advertisements or solicit subscriptions.

This absence raises further confusion about its funding model, and despite its seemingly benign content, the study underscores the potential for foreign influence in shaping public narratives in Singapore.

"The findings don't definitively prove the site is engaged in information manipulation," Ang and Leong noted. "However, they certainly warrant deeper scrutiny, particularly as the platform could eventually serve as a conduit for foreign agendas or misinformation campaigns directed towards Singapore."

Moreover, the report cautioned that inauthentic websites, like Alamak.io, can undermine public confidence in legitimate news outlets, potentially manipulating public sentiment in a manner harmful to Singapore.

As digital information continues to evolve, the urgency for media literacy becomes paramount, ensuring that audiences can discern credible sources from those with dubious motivations.

Conclusion

This study serves as a stark reminder of how seemingly innocent platforms can mask insidious objectives, particularly in an era defined by rapid information exchange.

As Singapore navigates the complexities of digital communication, vigilance and discernment are more crucial than ever.