Fake News about Covid-19

The Leaders Online:

Covid-19: Stop using strict laws against misinformation

 

SUNGAI BULOH: The government’s reliance on Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act and Section 505 of the penal code to combat misinformation about the coronavirus is very worrying.

In a statement today, Article 19’s Malaysia Programme Officer E Nalini stressed these provisions are framed very broadly and opens the door to arbitrary application by authorities.

Nalini is Malaysia Program Officer at ARTICLE 19 and also a prominent grassroots activist.

Nalini said Malaysian government appears to be relying primarily on criminal proceedings to stem the spread of misinformation during this unprecedented global crisis.

“Criminal measures and custodial sentences should be used only as a last resort for the most serious and dangerous forms of speech,” said Nalini.

However she also mentioned that efforts of the Malaysian government to direct people to accurate sources of information are welcomed.

“As Malaysia continues to grapple with the pandemic, more resources should be directed towards these types of initiatives.

“The government should also prioritise transparency in its own operations and move forward with plans to enact right to information legislation,” she said.

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has received 43 complaints regarding people spreading false information about the virus to date.

According to the MCMC announcement, six individuals have already been charged under Section 505(b) of the penal code.

While I appreciate there is enormous distrust of the way the government sometimes misused the Communications and Multimedia Act to silence dissenters and the opposition and its supporters, I am convinced in such a dire situation as Malaysia is NOW facing, there should NOT be any tolerance for mavericks who spread fake news on Covid-19.

News on Covid-19 are eagerly listened to by Malaysians, and any such fake news can either alarm the general public, even provoke some into violence or, if the fake news is deliberately euphemistic about a perilous situation, eg. seriousness of the virus, importance of social distancing, lull some into an equally dangerous mindset of complacency, non-compliance to Orders and general apathy.