KUALA LUMPUR – The Communications Ministry is intensifying efforts to curb the spread of fake news, including introducing legislative updates and enhancing cooperation with social media platforms.
Addressing the Dewan Rakyat, deputy minister Teo Nie Ching emphasised the critical need to identify anonymous accounts responsible for spreading misinformation and announced steps to strengthen enforcement mechanisms.
Responding to Tenom MP Riduan Rubin (Tenom) who queried whether the ministry planned to introduce comprehensive laws to address fake news, Teo said the government had been leveraging the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588) and other existing laws.
These measures have led to the removal of 21,156 false content items on social media platforms from 2022 to mid-November 2024, based on assessments conducted by platform providers in accordance with their community standards. On enforcement, Teo revealed that 198 cases of fake news have been investigated, with five resulting in prosecutions and convictions.
Additionally, a proposed amendment to Act 588, approved by the cabinet on November 22, is set to be tabled in Parliament next month. The amendments will account for advancements in technology and increased dependency on online platforms to address modern cyber threats, including the dissemination of false information.
To further tackle the issue, the government is also preparing to table the Online Safety Bill, which aims to curb criminal activities on social media, including fake news. This will complement existing measures, including those under the Home Ministry.
Efforts to address fake news are also supported by the Fake News and 3R Issues Task Force. Established in December 2022 and rebranded in April 2023, the task force collaborates with 12 key agencies, including the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, police, and the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC). Since December 2023, the task force has held 27 meetings to strengthen monitoring and enforcement against online content that threatens national unity and stability.
When asked by Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden (Alor Setar-PN) about difficulties in tracing the owners of anonymous accounts, Teo underscored the importance of requiring social media platforms to enforce stricter registration guidelines for new users.
Measures such as mandating phone number verification and enhanced data sharing with law enforcement could simplify investigations. She added that under the proposed amendments to Act 588, authorities, including the police, would have strengthened powers to request user data from social media providers under regulated procedures.
Afnan also brought up the issue of a CNN interview clip featuring Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and questioned if actions would be taken against parties which allegedly edited the video. Teo deferred the matter, stating that it is “best addressed by the police.” – November 25, 2024