Singapore police briefly detained PJ Thum, the founder and director of New Naratif. Rights groups say it is the latest incident in a series of attacks on free media in the Southeast Asian city-state, as per a DW report. The security officials searched Thum's residence and seized his laptop.

Launched in 2017, New Naratif, has already had several issues with the government. This time it was accused of publishing unauthorized paid advertisements on Facebook during the July election campaign, which, according to the country's Elections Department, constitutes "illegal conduct."

Thum told DW, that they reported facts about Singapore and did not engage in electoral activities.

Authorities in the city-state have refused to register the company, accusing it in April 2018 of receiving "foreign funding." New Naratif denies the charge.