Gobind: Malaysia's Anti-Fake News Act Will Be Repealed As Soon As Possible
"We have to find ways to improve the freedom of press in the country."
By Tamara Jayne — 22 May 2018, 11:29 AM
The first Anti-Fake News Act will be repealed, said Malaysia's new Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo on Monday, 21 May
He added that it will be brought to Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad so that it could be done as soon as possible, according to Malay Mail.
The act, tabled by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Azalina Othman, was officially gazetted in April as a way to combat fake news.
According to the act, those who maliciously create, publish, or spread fake news would be liable to maximum RM500,000 fine, six years jail, or both.
"Media freedom is my priority," he said to reporters after he and 12 other ministers took their oath in office before Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V in Istana Negara yesterday
"The media churning out news and publishing companies are bound by the existing laws so we have to look at it that way and we have to find ways to improve the freedom of press in the country. And I am committed to doing so," the minister said.
He added that he will create a group of legal experts to see the impact of the law so far. "Where there are shortcomings, we will try to improve," he told reporters.
"We will set the time-frame, in the first 100 days, we have to deliver but how much time is required, I will discuss with my officials tomorrow." he said, as reported by The Star.