Cabinet nod for legislation to curtail social media misinformation: Keheliya

• Cabinet Spokesman says legislation will target only fake news and misinformation 
• Contends credible media organisations will not be affected 
• Cabinet paper jointly presented by Justice and Media Ministers 

Keheliya Rambukwella

Cabinet has given approval for the Legal Draftsman to draw up legislation to curtail what the Government terms as false and misleading online posts, a top official said yesterday. 

Cabinet approval was given to a joint Cabinet paper presented by Justice Minister Ali Sabry and Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella. Speaking at the weekly Cabinet briefing, Minister Rambukwella argued that such legislation was necessary to limit the spread of misinformation and reduce inter-communal tensions.   

“The spread of false information on the internet poses a serious threat and is seen as being used to divide society, to spread hatred and to weaken democratic institutions. Various countries have already taken steps to legislate in order to address this problem. Steps should be taken to provide access to accurate information to citizens and civil society by introducing a new law to protect society from the harm caused by false propaganda on the internet,” he said. 

He further contended that professional media organisations should not be concerned about their work being impacted due to the new legislation and it could improve the environment they operate in. 

“It is clear that profiles of 15-17% of social media activists are fake but it is impossible to take any action against them. Credible media organisations should think of the Government’s step to formulate legislation in a positive light as it will not affect them. This is only targeted at people spreading misinformation and fake news,” he told reporters.   

The Cabinet decision comes close on the heels of statements made last Sunday by Justice Minister Sabry who insisted new laws were needed to tackle fake news and misinformation. He said the Government will go ahead with a previously announced plan to introduce laws styled after Singapore’s Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA), which was introduced in 2018. The POFMA is a controversial piece of legislation that has drawn widespread criticism as a tool to control the media and free speech.