Malaysia Policies Affecting Disinformation
Legislation
The Anti-Fake News Act of 2018 was met with widespread criticism as the definition of fake news was considered as being vague. The government was accused of limiting free speech and trying to squelch criticism. A Danish national was the first to be convicted under the law for alleged inaccurate criticism of the police.[1]
In 2019 the act was repealed.[2]
Actions and Initiatives
The Malaysian government maintains a fact check portal as well as a mobile application, where citizens can submit information they believe is inaccurate.[3]
In 2021, the Malaysian government used its emergency powers under the Emergency (Essential Powers)(No.2) Ordinance to make content which is "wholly or partly false" related to the pandemic illegal. Someone found guilty of reproducing or spreading banned content face a fine of up to RM100,000, up to three years in jail, or both.[4][5][6][7] The law also allows for forced confiscation of private property.[8]
See more:
National Policies Affecting Disinformation
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20180728111224/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-malaysia-palestinian-fakenews/danish-national-first-to-be-convicted-under-malaysias-fake-news-law-idUSKBN1I10I9
- ↑ https://www.reuters.com/article/us-malaysia-politics-fakenews/malaysia-parliament-scraps-law-penalizing-fake-news-idUSKBN1WO1H6
- ↑ https://www.loc.gov/law/help/fake-news/malaysia.php
- ↑ https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/malaysia-imposes-emergency-law-to-clamp-down-on-covid-19-fake-news
- ↑ https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/malaysian-government-criticised-for-draconian-use-of-emergency-powers-to-outlaw-fake
- ↑ https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/01/21/malaysia-urgently-revise-emergency-ordinance
- ↑ https://ipi.media/rush-to-pass-fake-news-laws-during-covid-19-intensifying-global-media-freedom-challenges/
- ↑ https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/01/21/malaysia-urgently-revise-emergency-ordinance