Malaysia’s government on Monday April 02,2018 pushed a law through Parliament that
makes “fake news” punishable with a maximum six-year jail term despite
an outcry from critics worried it will be used to stifle dissent before
elections
After a debate spanning much of Monday and last week on Thursday afternoon, Parliament — which is dominated by the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition — voted in favour of the new law.
The law originally proposed a maximum prison sentence of 10 years and fine of 5,00,000 ringgit ($1,30,000) for publishing what authorities deem to be fake news, but the government lowered the jail term to six years following a storm of criticism.
After a debate spanning much of Monday and last week on Thursday afternoon, Parliament — which is dominated by the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition — voted in favour of the new law.
The law originally proposed a maximum prison sentence of 10 years and fine of 5,00,000 ringgit ($1,30,000) for publishing what authorities deem to be fake news, but the government lowered the jail term to six years following a storm of criticism.
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