PUTRAJAYA is getting input from major internet players like Facebook, Google, Twitter and YouTube on its proposed fake news law, said de facto law minister Azalina Othman Said.

The minister in the Prime Minister’s Department said the government had engaged with officials from the tech giants yesterday to get their views on the bill’s draft.  

“A discussion with representatives of social media platform providers, including Asia Internet Coalition, Google, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter was held in Parliament yesterday. 

“This meeting is one of the steps to gather more input and views from the industry’s key players to introduce the government’s bill on fake news,” Azalina said in a statement today. 

“The discussion got a positive response from the social media platform providers. This action also shows the government is inclusive when it comes to making a decision or drafting a bill,” Azalina added. 

A government announced in January a special committee had been formed to draft a law on fake news, in a move greeted with reservation from civil society activists, law experts and opposition leaders.

Activists and lawyers claim there are enough laws to tackle fake news while opposition politicians fear the new legislation will be used to clamp down on media reports that highlight government abuses.

But Azalina defended the fake news laws, saying it would protect public and the country.

“The main principle in the fake news laws is to curb false news which can disrupt the public peace and national harmony.

“I believe this bill will suit the latest developments and needs to eradicate the global phenomenon of spreading fake news and information which becomes viral,” Azalina said. – March 13, 2018.