PETALING JAYA: The proposed laws to curb fake news will apply to all and is not confined to just politics, said Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak (pic).
The Communications and Multimedia Minister said that there was an increase in fake news of late and that there was a need to clamp down on it.
"If what is being spread is not fake news then why the need for concern? The laws are to protect victims of fake news who should be offered justice as well," he said in a blog post titled "Disinformation and fake news is a threat to democracy" on Wednesday (Feb 7).
He was responding to leaders from Opposition coalition Pakatan Harapan who suggested that the new laws are meant to hide the truth.
Dr Salleh said that even the Western world is beginning to relook at freedom of speech and now regards disinformation and fake news as a threat to democracy.
He said that Britain, considered to be the bastion of democracy and free speech, is also mulling new laws to combat the problem of people abusing freedom of speech.
"Democracy and freedom of speech need to be protected from disinformation and fake news. So we need to uphold its sanctity by clamping down on the abuse of freedom of speech by those who spread disinformation and fake news," he said.
It was reported that the proposed law is expected to be presented by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said at the next Cabinet meeting.
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