Bill against fake news set to be tabled next week

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia is now close to having preventive measures to counter the spread of unverified or fake news, with a Bill expected to be tabled next week.

The AntiFake News Bill, which was presented to Cabinet yesterday, is meant to identify the types of offences regarded as the spreading of such news.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said (pic) said the Cabinet had given its approval for the Bill to be brought to Parliament next week. A briefing, she said, would be held for Barisan Nasional and Opposition lawmakers on what the Bill would entail.

“The law was drawn up in the interest of the people. It is to protect them from being misinformed or falling victim to fake news.

“It is not at all meant to prevent them from their right to free speech as spelt out in the Federal Constitution,” she said, urging all parties to accept the Government’s efforts and good intention.

“This law is also a clear message that the Government will not compromise nor tolerate anything that can threaten the nation’s security and public order,” said Azalina.

There will be 14 clauses under the Bill, covering the definition of fake news and ensuring due process to book perpetrators and serve justice to victims of fake news.

The authority that decides on whether or not a piece of news is fake will be impartial and will allow legal redress.

The Bill will complement existing laws and address current challenges in the digital age.

While it is not known how the Bill defines fake news, an Internet search explains that it is a type of yellow journalism or propaganda consisting of deliberate misinformation or hoaxes spread via traditional print, broadcast news media or online social media.

Fake news is written and published with the intent to mislead and damage an agency, entity or person or to gain financially or politically, often using sensationalist, dishonest or outright fabricated headlines to increase readership, online sharing and Internet click revenue.

Governments around the world have also taken action to stem the tide of fake news.

While Singapore has set up a select committee to recommend how its government should tackle fabricated news, British Prime Minister Theresa May announced the settingup of a dedicated national security unit.

Germany has started enforcing a law that demands social media sites to move quickly to remove hate speech, fake news and illegal materials.