Malaysia: concerns over Anti-Fake News Bill
In recent years, accusations of spreading fake news have been commonplace between rival political groups across the world. But in Malaysia, this accusation has taken an ominous turn.
Peter Riddell
On 2 April, the Malaysian Lower House of Parliament passed the Anti-Fake News Bill. It defines fake news as ‘news, information, data and reports which is or are wholly or partly false.’ An offender is anyone who ‘knowingly creates, offers, publishes, prints, distributes, circulates or disseminates any fake news or publication containing fake news.’
