Malaysia threatens ten years in jail for spreading fake news

Offenders could also face a £90,000 fine

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(Image credit: MOHD RASFAN/AFP/Getty Images)

The Malaysian government is seeking to prevent the spread of fake news by introducing draconian penalties for anyone caught publishing or passing on false information.

Under a proposed new law, anyone convicted of knowingly creating or spreading “news, information, data and reports which is or are wholly or partly false” could be jailed for up to ten years and fined up to £90,000.

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