PUTRAJAYA: The yet-to-be-passed Anti-Fake News Bill 2018 will not block freedom of the media, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said.
He said claims by certain quarters that the Bill would be used to muzzle the media were unfounded, adding the media should not have to worry about it.
'It will not affect their freedom to report news based on information they have received or given by certain parties.
"If the given information is fake, action will be taken against the one who gives such information and not against the media because the media only reports.
"Media practitioners should put aside their worries and fear regarding the anti-fake news bill. Instead, they should support it because the Bill will also protect the media from becoming victims of fake news," he said after the launch of Malaysia Driving Institutes Association (PIMA)'s annual general meeting (AGM) and Koperasi Institut memandu Malaysia Bhd's AGM.
The Anti-Fake News Bill was tabled for its second reading in Dewan Rakyat on Thursday with two proposed changes- reducing the jail time for creating and spreading fake news from 10 years to six years and replacing the word "knowingly" to "maliciously".
Liow added the Bill was aimed to protect the people's interests from being manipulated by fake news, including from becoming victims of get quick-rich schemes
"It is not for political interests as some have claimed it to be including using the Bill as a retaliation or manipulation tool, I don't agree on such views."