`Fake news´ law threatens Malaysian media
(World News Austria)

The Malaysian government is tightening its grip on the media ahead of general elections scheduled be held before June. A new law passed by country`s parliament last week penalizes the spreading of `fake news` with six years` imprisonment and a fine of 500,000 ringgit (approx. 105,000 euros). A specialized committee consisting of government bodies, such as the National Security Council and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), worked on drafting the `fake news` bill, as it has been labelled by critics and human rights activists. The Malaysian parliament, in a rather rushed manner, passed the bill in one day. This was not unexpected as the ruling Barisan National party...