‘More input needed before finalising fake news law’
PUTRAJAYA: Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said more input was required from stakeholders before the new law to curb fake news could be finalised.
In a statement uploaded on her Facebook page, Azalina, who is in charge of parliamentary affairs, said a discussion with representatives of social media platform providers, including Google, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Asia Internet Coalition, was held at Parliament House yesterday.
She said the meeting was held to obtain more views and input from key players of the new media in an effort to introduce the fake news law.
“This meeting is important to ensure that the bill being drafted is comprehensive.”
The meeting was joined by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
Azalina said the bill was being drafted to protect the public from fake news.
“I am confident that this bill will be able to curb fake news in the country.”
Apart from the meeting with social media platform providers, a workshop on fake news was also organised by a special committee for relevant government agencies at the Asian International Arbitration Centre yesterday.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he would discuss in the cabinet meeting today on the need to tax Google and Facebook.
Speaking at a luncheon with chief editors and publications permit holders, he said this was because the giant multinational technology company and social networking site had control of advertisements on social media.