Special taskforce formed to study laws to curb fake news — Azalina

PUTRAJAYA: A special taskforce has been formed to study new laws aimed to take on ‘ fake news’, that could threaten political stability, as well as undermine public order and national security.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said the taskforce met for the first time last week, and included representatives from the police, Attorney General’s Chambers, Legal Affairs Division, National Security Council, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission and Ministry of Communications and Multimedia.

Azalina said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had also consented to involve relevant non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and members of Parliament in the taskforce.

“This is to ensure that the government’s efforts in addressing this issue receives the support of various parties and goes through the negotiation process with all stakeholders,” she said in a statement, here yesterday.

She added that once the process was completed, a proposal would be submitted to the Cabinet for consideration.

Azalina said the government also hoped the new law could be brought to Parliament in the next sitting.

She said at present, there were some Acts in place to deal with the issue such as Section 8A of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 which was introduced 30 years ago.

“Therefore, it is appropriate for the government to examine whether the existing provisions can still be used to address new threats which are not only published in print and broadcast, but also via online media,” she said.

Azalina said new measures to tackle the dissemination of fake news should be taken so that the public would be more responsible in publishing, disseminating and sharing news, and ensuring that national security is maintained. — Bernama