‘Act not to deny freedom of expression’

KULIM: People should understand that the gazetted Anti-Fake News Act is not to deny freedom of expression on social media, said Communications and Multimedia Ministry deputy secretary-general (operations) Datuk Dr Mohd Ali Mohamad Nor.

He said the law was for protection from dissemination of fake news, which could be detrimental to an individual, institution and the country.

“We want to ensure that a person who disseminates fake news cannot escape. The person must be responsible for the sharing of information, which has to be true, healthy and verified.

“This encompasses negative conduct on social media, such as bullying,” he said at the Menghubung Menyatu@Malaysia Inklusif Negara Digital (Minda) programme here yesterday.

The programme was opened by state Science, Innovation and Information Technology committee chairman Noorsabrina Mohd Noor.

Ali said social media was the easiest medium to be used to become closer to the people.

“If it (social media) is not controlled, it can be a threat to many quarters, including the country,” he said, adding that with the runup to the general election, there would be widespread dissemination of slander and fake news.

He said the law was important to control social media activists, so that they would not tarnish other people’s image and reputation.