KUALA LUMPUR: A special committee has been formed to study a new law to stop the spread of fake news that can not only threaten the political stability of the country but also undermine public order and national security.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said the committee had a meeting for the first time last week, which was also joined by representatives from the police force, Attorney General's Chambers, National Security Council, Communications and Multimedia Commission, Communications and Multimedia ministry and Legal Affairs Division.
“Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has agreed that members of the committee comprise of relevant non-governmental organisations and members of parliament.
"This is to ensure the government’s efforts to address this issue (spread of fake news) are supported by various parties,” she added.
The government, she said would have to review whether the current provisions could still be used to stop the spread of fake news across all platforms.
“Besides Malaysia, other countries are also taking various measures to solve the issue by formulating relevant laws.
“At present we are using several Acts such as Section 8A of the Printing Presses and Publication Act 1984 that was introduced 30 years ago. We need to look at it to decide whether it can still be used to solve the issue at both printed and broadcast platforms.
“As mentioned by the prime minister, fake news will only plant hatred and lead to public annoyance,” she said.
Azalina said the government hoped to table a new law in Parliament in the coming session.
"Measures to stop the spread of fake news need to be taken to ensure public are more responsible in creating, spreading and sharing information. This is to ensure our national security is maintained.
“The Special Committee will review relevant laws and provisions in the new law. The government hopes that the new law can be tabled in Parliament in the coming session,” she said.
Najib previously announced that the government would study the possibility of enacting a new law to curb the spread of fake news which was a threat to national harmony.
The move, he said, was aimed at preventing irresponsible people from spreading false information.