Malaysia cuts proposed penalty for fake news to 6 years
The Anti-Fake News Bill 2018 has passed the second reading at the Dewan Rakyat.
"I would like to stress this law is not meant to restrict the freedom of speech, but to restrict the dissemination of fake new, as clearly mentioned in the explanatory statement of the Bill". The bill originally proposed a 10-year jail term and a fine of up to $128,000 for offenders, but the government later reduced the maximum prison sentence to 6 years.
They also fear the bill, which covers all media and extends even to foreigners outside Malaysia, could be used against critics of gerrymandering or other aspects of the electoral process after parliament last week swiftly approved controversial new constituency boundaries for the elections, which are due in August but widely expected soon.
"These findings are troubling, no matter how you define 'fake news.' Confidence in an independent fourth estate is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy".
Twenty-five percent say that "fake news" is a story where the facts are incorrect, while 65 percent say it is editorial decisions made by various outlets.
Malaysia is one of several countries in Asia turning to such legislation, emboldened by US President Donald Trump's fulminations against "fake news", but activists warn authoritarian regimes will use the laws to target opponents.
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"I urge the government to reconsider the bill and open it up to regular and genuine public scrutiny before taking any further steps", David Kaye said in a Twitter post. Regulators from the Philippines had been debating how to deal with fake news in their own country, but said in February that banning fake news outright would be "unconstitutional".
"The mainstream media is already subjected to various rules, guidelines and laws including the Printing Presses and Publications Act, Official Secrets Act and Sedition laws", he said, in a statement issued by SJA.
The timing of the new law is also raising eyebrows ahead of a general election where Prime Minister Najib Razak will have to face voters in the wake of a scandal over the misappropriation of billions of dollars diverted from Malaysia's state investment fund.
Najib has denied any wrongdoing in connection with losses at the fund.
Lim Kit Siang, a senior opposition lawmaker with the Democratic Action Party, described the bill as a "Save Najib from 1MDB Scandal Bill" which would criminalise news on the affair.
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