Govt survey on fake news ordinance seeks feedback to combat misinformation
The Information Department is running an online survey to gauge the public's response to the fake news ordinance that came into force on Thursday.
It also seeks feedback on how the public thinks fake news can be combated.
The survey, done through Google forms, can be accessed here.
The ordinance makes spreading "fake news" on Covid-19 or the state of emergency...
The Information Department is running an online survey to gauge the public's response to the fake news ordinance that came into force on Thursday.
It also seeks feedback on how the public thinks fake news can be combated.
The survey, done through Google forms, can be accessed here.
The ordinance makes spreading "fake news" on Covid-19 or the state of emergency an offence, punishable with a fine of up to RM100,000 or up to three years imprisonment or both.
Besides asking whether people agree with the ordinance, it also asks whether fake news disrupt public order, and whether people are concerned that the ordinance could be used against them.
It also asks people whether they verify messages they receive on social media and share them after.
Critics have expressed concern that the vague definition of "fake news" in the ordinance, could lead to abuse.
Communications and Multimedia Minister Saifuddin Abdullah assured that the government would differentiate between fake news and criticism of Putrajaya.
However, de facto Law Minister Takiyuddin Hassan said that critics claiming the Perikatan Nasional government had sought a state of emergency because it had lost its majority in the Dewan Rakyat, had violated the fake news ordinance.
The government's official position is that the emergency, which came into force on Jan 11, was intended to fight the Covid-19 pandemic.
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