Right to information law can help counter fake news, says Wan Junaidi

PETALING JAYA: Engagement sessions on a possible right to information law have been carried out at both state and federal levels, says Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.

He said the Legal Affairs Bureau had been working closely with the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) to explore the possibility of right to information legislation in Malaysia.

The engagement sessions ensure the policy decision is well-founded and can be presented to the government for a decision soon," the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department said when closing the World Press Freedom Day Virtual Forum on Wednesday (June 8).

Wan Junaidi – who is in charge of law and Parliament – said he supported the initiative and would seek a decision from the government.

There have been calls from civil society and Members of Parliament for the country to enact laws allowing freedom of information.

Wan Junaidi said that such a law would ensure public access to accurate information in light of the growing influence of social media in recent years.

"This (the right to freedom and access to information), will inevitably ensure that people can obtain accurate and current information, consequently reducing the spread of fake and false information and news," he added.

Wan Junaidi also said that the media served as a bridge between the government and the people.

He added that while the media played a crucial check-and-balance role, its freedom of reporting must be done responsibly.

"Those involved in the local news industry have to be very careful in what they report and strive to convey it in the most accurate manner possible," he said.

He also claimed to be a victim of inaccurate reporting.

"I have been a victim of many misleading articles in the media. They always like to put words in my mouth, which has adverse consequences.

"I will then be bombarded with so many leading questions and I am left to do damage control by clarifying. I am defending myself on something I didn't even say in the first place," he said.