Taking a page from the Donald Trump play book (All news that shows me in a bad light is fake.) the government of Malaysia has introduced legislation to parliament that if passed would imprison those convicted of spreading false or defamatory news whatever that maybe.
The prime minister, Najib Razak, has been dogged by a multibillion-dollar corruption scandal involving an indebted state fund, and activists fear the new law could be used to criminalise critical opinions on government misconduct. A general election is widely expected in the next few weeks.
The anti-fake news bill, which must be approved by parliament, calls for penalising those who create, offer, circulate, print or publish fake news – or publications containing fake news – with a 10-year jail term, a fine of up to 500,000 ringgit (£90,000) or both.
The bill defines fake news as “any news, information, data and reports which is, or are, wholly or partly false whether in the form of features, visuals or audio recordings or in any other form capable of suggesting words or ideas”.
It covers all media and extends to foreigners outside Malaysia if Malaysia or its citizens are affected.
Not to worry Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has taken up the mantra as well with his attacks on the Asahi Shinbun
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has continued to criticize the Asahi Shimbun national daily over its coverage of a favoritism scandal involving Osaka-based school operator Moritomo Gakuen.
Abe has attacked the paper five times during recent Diet deliberations, while posting a message describing the Asahi as "pitiful" on the Facebook page of a ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) legislator.
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