Dissemination of false content online in Malaysia: a legal update

It has been witnessed that the booming of digital technologies had stimulated positive impact towards usage of social media. Although this has been fruitful for the country especially in the age of digital economy, it is also disturbing to note that social media has turned into a ‘nesting ground’ to...

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Main Authors: Daud, Mahyuddin, Zulhuda, Sonny
Format: Proceeding Paper
Language:English
English
Published: 2018
Subjects:
Online Access:http://irep.iium.edu.my/63764/
http://irep.iium.edu.my/63764/3/ICLAS%20programme%20book.pdf
http://irep.iium.edu.my/63764/8/63764_DISSEMINATION%20OF%20FALSE%20CONTENT.pdf
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author Daud, Mahyuddin
Zulhuda, Sonny
author_facet Daud, Mahyuddin
Zulhuda, Sonny
author_sort Daud, Mahyuddin
building IIUM Repository
collection Online Access
description It has been witnessed that the booming of digital technologies had stimulated positive impact towards usage of social media. Although this has been fruitful for the country especially in the age of digital economy, it is also disturbing to note that social media has turned into a ‘nesting ground’ to spread lies and rumours. False content had caused confusion and misunderstanding – especially when public interest is at stake. Some tarnishes the good name of not only country’s leaders but also government officials. Hence, this paper analyses legal framework on regulation of false content online in Malaysia and selected jurisdictions. In particular, two recent initiatives were highlighted (1) introduction of a website – ‘Sebenarnya.my’ designed to verify authenticity of news; and (2) emplacing liability on WhatsApp group administrator to monitor false content. The extent of how far these new initiatives to effectively curb the spread of false content is yet to be seen. In gearing towards a healthier, dynamic and progressive digital society, it should be reminded that proactive measures taken must be balanced with constitutional right to freedom of expression within specified boundaries set by the law.
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institution International Islamic University Malaysia
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language English
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spelling iium-637642018-06-05T08:19:47Z http://irep.iium.edu.my/63764/ Dissemination of false content online in Malaysia: a legal update Daud, Mahyuddin Zulhuda, Sonny K Law (General) KPG Malaysia T Technology (General) It has been witnessed that the booming of digital technologies had stimulated positive impact towards usage of social media. Although this has been fruitful for the country especially in the age of digital economy, it is also disturbing to note that social media has turned into a ‘nesting ground’ to spread lies and rumours. False content had caused confusion and misunderstanding – especially when public interest is at stake. Some tarnishes the good name of not only country’s leaders but also government officials. Hence, this paper analyses legal framework on regulation of false content online in Malaysia and selected jurisdictions. In particular, two recent initiatives were highlighted (1) introduction of a website – ‘Sebenarnya.my’ designed to verify authenticity of news; and (2) emplacing liability on WhatsApp group administrator to monitor false content. The extent of how far these new initiatives to effectively curb the spread of false content is yet to be seen. In gearing towards a healthier, dynamic and progressive digital society, it should be reminded that proactive measures taken must be balanced with constitutional right to freedom of expression within specified boundaries set by the law. 2018-04-11 Proceeding Paper NonPeerReviewed application/pdf en http://irep.iium.edu.my/63764/3/ICLAS%20programme%20book.pdf application/pdf en http://irep.iium.edu.my/63764/8/63764_DISSEMINATION%20OF%20FALSE%20CONTENT.pdf Daud, Mahyuddin and Zulhuda, Sonny (2018) Dissemination of false content online in Malaysia: a legal update. In: 7th International Conference on Law And Society (ICLAS 7), 11th-13th April 2018, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. (Unpublished) https://iclas2018.org/parallel-sessions/
spellingShingle K Law (General)
KPG Malaysia
T Technology (General)
Daud, Mahyuddin
Zulhuda, Sonny
Dissemination of false content online in Malaysia: a legal update
title Dissemination of false content online in Malaysia: a legal update
title_full Dissemination of false content online in Malaysia: a legal update
title_fullStr Dissemination of false content online in Malaysia: a legal update
title_full_unstemmed Dissemination of false content online in Malaysia: a legal update
title_short Dissemination of false content online in Malaysia: a legal update
title_sort dissemination of false content online in malaysia: a legal update
topic K Law (General)
KPG Malaysia
T Technology (General)
url http://irep.iium.edu.my/63764/
http://irep.iium.edu.my/63764/
http://irep.iium.edu.my/63764/3/ICLAS%20programme%20book.pdf
http://irep.iium.edu.my/63764/8/63764_DISSEMINATION%20OF%20FALSE%20CONTENT.pdf