Fake News To Attract 6-Year Jail Sentence In Malaysia

Courtesy: The Wire, The New York Times | Image Credits: Rappler, Global Transformation

The Malaysian Government on Monday enacted a law against 'fake news' that make culprits liable to six years in prison with a fine of $123,000.

Prime Minister Najib Razak’s government got a simple majority in parliament to pass the Anti-Fake News 2018 bill.

The first draft of the bill had proposed jail of up to 10 years.

According to the government, the new law will not affect freedom of speech and cases under it would be handled through an independent court process.

“This law aims to protect the public from the spread of fake news, while allowing freedom of speech as provided for under the constitution,” Law Minister Azalina Othman Said told parliament.

According to the law, fake news is “news, information, data and reports which is or are wholly or partly false” and includes features, visuals and audio recordings.

It covers digital publications and social media and will apply to offenders who maliciously spread “fake news” inside and outside Malaysia, including foreigners, if Malaysia or a Malaysian citizen were affected.





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