The social networking site Facebook said on Saturday that it had issued a notice to correct a user's publication at the request of the Singapore government, but called for a careful approach to the implementation of a new law against "false news" in order to protect freedom of expression.

"Facebook is legally obliged to notify you that the government of Singapore says this post contains incorrect information," said the notice, seen by some Singapore users.

The correction notification was inserted at the bottom of the original publication without any modifications to the text, but could be accessed by other users inside and outside the country.

The Singapore government said on Friday it had asked Facebook to publish a correction notice for a post dated November 23.

"Under Singapore law, Facebook has placed a badge on publications that the government decides to contain incorrect information," a Facebook spokesman said in an e-mailed statement.

"As these are the first days of the law coming into force, we hope that the Singapore government's assurances that it will not affect freedom of expression will lead to a deliberate and transparent approach to its implementation," it added.