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Freedom of misinformation and the relevance of co-regulation in Malaysia: a cross-jurisdictional analysis

The spread of fake news on COVID-19 is causing public unrest and suspicion among citizens which is a challenge for countries facing the pandemic. The misinformation or disinformation which stems from uncertainties, unrest, and anxiety because of movement control order procedures, financial and e...

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Main Author: Daud, Mahyuddin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: IIUM 2021
Subjects:
K Law (General)
Online Access:http://irep.iium.edu.my/95597/1/95597_Freedom%20of%20misinformation%20and%20the%20relevance.pdf
http://irep.iium.edu.my/95597/
https://journals.iium.edu.my/iiumlj/index.php/iiumlj/article/view/539/322
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spelling my.iium.irep.955972022-03-17T04:29:41Z http://irep.iium.edu.my/95597/ Freedom of misinformation and the relevance of co-regulation in Malaysia: a cross-jurisdictional analysis Daud, Mahyuddin K Law (General) The spread of fake news on COVID-19 is causing public unrest and suspicion among citizens which is a challenge for countries facing the pandemic. The misinformation or disinformation which stems from uncertainties, unrest, and anxiety because of movement control order procedures, financial and economic hardship caused wrong information to spread like fire. Often referred to as ‘info-demic’, it becomes a second source of virulent information that requires arresting just like the pandemic itself. Controlling fake news in a pandemic is a daunting problem that slaps Internet regulation on its face. On the Internet, lies spread faster than the truth, and correcting this misinformation is a tonne of work. In this paper, we examine Internet self- and coregulatory approaches in selected jurisdictions to reduce the impact of fake news on governments, industry, and private actors. Through a qualitative method and doctrinal content analysis, this article examines the various approaches adopted in arresting fake news. In the first section, we analysed specific legislation enacted by parliaments that criminalised the acts of disseminating and publishing fake news. In the second section, we found efforts to impose civil and criminal liability on platform providers to monitor online content. In the final section, we analysed self- and co-regulatory efforts to introduce online factchecking portals and awareness campaigns. This research argues that the Internet self-regulation system in Malaysia is not bringing the desired result i.e., maintaining peace and security of the nation. Considering the impact of dangerous misinformation on society, more so in a global emergency like the present COVID-19 pandemic, it is submitted that co-regulation is more suitable if the social, moral, and cultural fabric of the society is to be maintained. IIUM 2021-12-23 Article PeerReviewed application/pdf en http://irep.iium.edu.my/95597/1/95597_Freedom%20of%20misinformation%20and%20the%20relevance.pdf Daud, Mahyuddin (2021) Freedom of misinformation and the relevance of co-regulation in Malaysia: a cross-jurisdictional analysis. IIUM Law Journal, 29 (2). pp. 27-54. ISSN 0128-2530 E-ISSN 2289-7852 https://journals.iium.edu.my/iiumlj/index.php/iiumlj/article/view/539/322
institution Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia
building IIUM Library
collection Institutional Repository
continent Asia
country Malaysia
content_provider International Islamic University Malaysia
content_source IIUM Repository (IREP)
url_provider http://irep.iium.edu.my/
language English
topic K Law (General)
spellingShingle K Law (General)
Daud, Mahyuddin
Freedom of misinformation and the relevance of co-regulation in Malaysia: a cross-jurisdictional analysis
description The spread of fake news on COVID-19 is causing public unrest and suspicion among citizens which is a challenge for countries facing the pandemic. The misinformation or disinformation which stems from uncertainties, unrest, and anxiety because of movement control order procedures, financial and economic hardship caused wrong information to spread like fire. Often referred to as ‘info-demic’, it becomes a second source of virulent information that requires arresting just like the pandemic itself. Controlling fake news in a pandemic is a daunting problem that slaps Internet regulation on its face. On the Internet, lies spread faster than the truth, and correcting this misinformation is a tonne of work. In this paper, we examine Internet self- and coregulatory approaches in selected jurisdictions to reduce the impact of fake news on governments, industry, and private actors. Through a qualitative method and doctrinal content analysis, this article examines the various approaches adopted in arresting fake news. In the first section, we analysed specific legislation enacted by parliaments that criminalised the acts of disseminating and publishing fake news. In the second section, we found efforts to impose civil and criminal liability on platform providers to monitor online content. In the final section, we analysed self- and co-regulatory efforts to introduce online factchecking portals and awareness campaigns. This research argues that the Internet self-regulation system in Malaysia is not bringing the desired result i.e., maintaining peace and security of the nation. Considering the impact of dangerous misinformation on society, more so in a global emergency like the present COVID-19 pandemic, it is submitted that co-regulation is more suitable if the social, moral, and cultural fabric of the society is to be maintained.
format Article
author Daud, Mahyuddin
author_facet Daud, Mahyuddin
author_sort Daud, Mahyuddin
title Freedom of misinformation and the relevance of co-regulation in Malaysia: a cross-jurisdictional analysis
title_short Freedom of misinformation and the relevance of co-regulation in Malaysia: a cross-jurisdictional analysis
title_full Freedom of misinformation and the relevance of co-regulation in Malaysia: a cross-jurisdictional analysis
title_fullStr Freedom of misinformation and the relevance of co-regulation in Malaysia: a cross-jurisdictional analysis
title_full_unstemmed Freedom of misinformation and the relevance of co-regulation in Malaysia: a cross-jurisdictional analysis
title_sort freedom of misinformation and the relevance of co-regulation in malaysia: a cross-jurisdictional analysis
publisher IIUM
publishDate 2021
url http://irep.iium.edu.my/95597/1/95597_Freedom%20of%20misinformation%20and%20the%20relevance.pdf
http://irep.iium.edu.my/95597/
https://journals.iium.edu.my/iiumlj/index.php/iiumlj/article/view/539/322
_version_ 1728051157287305216
score 13.211869

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