A Kadir Jasin, NSTP’s former group editor-in-chief, questioned the wisdom behind the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission’s (MCMC) move to come hard on those accused of spreading “fake news”, saying it was unbecoming of a country trying to become a developed nation.
“Will the act of criminalising the freedom of speech solve the problem of false or inaccurate information?” he asked.
Kadir said laws against “fake news” could be misused to curb free speech, adding that is better to use discretion and wisdom to discipline the public.
MCMC chief operating officer Mazlan Ismail recently proposed stiffer punishments under Section 233 (1) of the Communications and Multimedia Act.
Among others, Mazlan said the current fine of RM50,000 should be increased to RM500,000, and the jail term from one year to 10 years.
But Kadir warned that the government could expand the scope of “fake news” by limiting the sources of news and information.
He added that whatever not sanctioned by “authorised” sources could also be labelled fake news.
Early this month, rights group Lawyers for Liberty warned that attempts to curb the spread of fake news should not come at the expense of freedom of speech.
“Can we seriously expect the authorities to be the impartial arbiter, or will they arbitrarily interpret unfavourable news as ‘fake news’?
“Will we have an Orwellian version of ‘the truth’, ie. it is only ‘true’ if the information has been verified by the government?” said LFL executive director Eric Paulsen.
Fake news: Whose version of ‘truth’ will we get, asks rights lawyer