PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is not clamping down on the use of satire and parody on social media.
Its strategic communications director, Syeikh Raffie Abdul Rahman, said an earlier "warning" of a ban on the publishing of modified pictures and unverified news was only "an advisory notice."
He, however, reminded the public of Part 7.3 of the MCMC Content Code which states that content which is false is expressly prohibited except in the circumstances of satire and parody; where it is clear to an ordinary user that the content is fiction.
“When was there ever a ban? There was never a ban. It was totally misinterpreted. It was just an advisory notice,” Syeikh Raffie said.
Earlier in the day, it was reported that the MCMC warned the public not to spread modified pictures, unverified news or any speculation regarding investigations into 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) through social media, including the mobile messaging application WhatsApp.
"It is an offence to share or spread such materials as it could break the law, especially Section 211 or Section 213 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. If one is found guilty, one could face a RM50,000 fine, a one-year jail sentence or both," the MCMC said in a statement.
Under Section 211, it is an offence to provide content which is indecent, obscene, false, menacing, or offensive in character with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any person.
Its strategic communications director, Syeikh Raffie Abdul Rahman, said an earlier "warning" of a ban on the publishing of modified pictures and unverified news was only "an advisory notice."
He, however, reminded the public of Part 7.3 of the MCMC Content Code which states that content which is false is expressly prohibited except in the circumstances of satire and parody; where it is clear to an ordinary user that the content is fiction.
“When was there ever a ban? There was never a ban. It was totally misinterpreted. It was just an advisory notice,” Syeikh Raffie said.
Earlier in the day, it was reported that the MCMC warned the public not to spread modified pictures, unverified news or any speculation regarding investigations into 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) through social media, including the mobile messaging application WhatsApp.
"It is an offence to share or spread such materials as it could break the law, especially Section 211 or Section 213 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. If one is found guilty, one could face a RM50,000 fine, a one-year jail sentence or both," the MCMC said in a statement.
Under Section 211, it is an offence to provide content which is indecent, obscene, false, menacing, or offensive in character with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any person.
Read also: Marina slams MCMC warning to social media users over 1MDB
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