(The Wall Street Journal) – Malaysia’s government proposed a new law on Monday that would make spreading fake news a crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison, a move that critics say is aimed at silencing dissent ahead of national elections.
Prime Minister Najib Razak has been embroiled in scandals surrounding a state investment fund, 1Malaysia Development Bhd., and his opponents argue that the proposed law against fake news could limit media reporting on the investigation.
The proposed law defines fake news as “any news, information, data and reports which 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.”
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