KUALA LUMPUR – The newly gazetted ordinance meant to combat fake news about Covid-19 should not be used as a tool to silence, pressure, or bully those with opposing views, said Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm).
The media group said in a statement that the ordinance posed more difficulties for the press to exercise its check-and-balance function if the law is abused.
“We reiterate our stand, as previously declared in our call against the repealed Anti-Fake News Act 2018, to fight fake news with facts, not acts.
“Among others, we have consistently supported any form of fact-checking initiatives, particularly as the pandemic in current times has seen confusion arising from the sharing of inaccurate information.”
Geramm’s statement comes after the federal government gazetted an ordinance that renders the “creation, offering, and publishing” of “fake news” related to Covid-19 unlawful, raising concerns over press freedom.
The Emergency (Essential Powers) (No. 2) Ordinance 2021, dated today, stipulates that any person who fails to comply will be liable to a fine not exceeding RM100,000, or a maximum three years of prison, or both.
Police have been authorised to arrest any person believed to have committed or attempted to commit an offence under the ordinance, which also oversteps the Evidence Act 1950.
Geramm said the gazetting of the law also appears to be controversial, given the widely disputed emergency declaration, as well as the status of the government's majority in Parliament.
“Our concern is based on the grounds that these new restrictions are not drafted by parliamentarians elected through a Dewan Rakyat sitting.
“On the surface, the regulations may appear to be agreeable; however, with no clear definition of ‘fake news’, we are concerned over possible abuse that may arise as a consequence.” – The Vibes, March 11, 2021
