I BEG to differ with Associate Prof Muzaffar Syah Mallow that social media censorship is a human rights violation. 

That’s a broad-brush statement.

If freedom of speech and expression is “a principle that supports the freedom of an individual or a community to express their opinions and ideas without fear of retaliation, censorship, or legal action”, then it must be said and reminded that freedom of speech and expression is never absolute and never a standalone right.

The freedom must be read and understood in relation to other fundamental rights, such as the right to freedom of thought and conscience, right to information and right to life, liberty and security of person, among others.

In “Govt shouldn’t be dissuaded from regulating social media platforms”, I said that online harm from social media platforms has the potential to impact upon the enjoyment of the above rights. 

I added that it is a misguided interpretation of the right to free speech that social media platforms should not be regulated and not be accountable for the harms caused by abuses of the freedom.

No government should therefore be dissuaded from pursuing a comprehensive regulatory regime – even if it leads to some forms of censorship of social media. – August 5, 2024.

* Hafiz Hassan reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.