Many would agree that the government should come up with new laws or revise the existing cyber laws to reduce instances of misuse of the Internet and social media sites.Some parties also suggest that the culture of local communities must be taken into account when formulating the laws, and that the Internet laws used in the West should be studied before being adopted.
Nevertheless, the sensitivities of various communities, their
history, education levels, and readiness to accept such laws must also
be given due consideration.
The Dean of Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM)’s Faculty of
Communication and Media Studies, Prof Dr Azizul Halim Yahya, stated that
although people in the United States for example have the freedom of
expression, whether it be in the real world or in cyberspace, they are
still subject to various Acts, such as the Harassment Act and Invasion
of Privacy Act, which are meant to protect them.
The communities there still have to be careful about what they say,
because what they say can be either be laughed off as a joke or taken
seriously, particularly if it involves national issues, the country’s
president, and so on.
“For example, if something defamatory has been said about someone,
the person who has been allegedly defamed can challenge or counter the
accusation. If the accusation is proven to be false and the person who
had made the statement is found guilty, he or she would have to face the
punishment. However, such matters are seldom raised in Malaysia. Many
Malaysians are confused about the issues of defamation or harassment,”
he noted.
Prof Dr Azizul said the freedom of expression must be accompanied by
a sense of responsibility, including being prepared to be taken to the
court.
Recently, Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad
Shabery Cheek said the government will be studying the Internet
regulations of three countries – the United States, Britain and
Australia – in its efforts to tackle the issue of social media abuse in
the country.
In spite of the freedom given to the people to express their views
on the federation and states, the use of Internet in the US comes under
the jurisdiction of a set of laws.
In Australia, Internet content is monitored by the Australian
Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), which has the power to censor
Internet content in the country.
The ACMA can also blacklist foreign websites, apart from censoring their content.
It has banned many sites, mostly containing child pornography,
sexual violence and illegal activities, after Internet users report such
sites to the government.
Meanwhile, in Britain, Internet censorship measures include blocking
access to websites, enforcing the laws on publishing offences, or
having materials classified as defamatory, copyright infringement,
harassment and child pornography.
The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) was set up there to compile and
maintain blacklisted URLs, mostly webpages containing child pornography.
Prof Dr Azizul said while Malaysia has adopted laws similar to
Britain’s, such as the new 2013 Harassment Act, the latter dealt with
such cases faster and more efficiently than Malaysia, because Britain
had been practising the law for a long time.
In Malaysia, there are too many instances and cases of defamation,
both within and outside the cyberspace, and it has become difficult to
establish their source or cause.
The authorities, therefore, should take quick action against
perpetrators, because if the trend is not nipped, the countrzy’s harmony
will be compromised –and that could give rise to unrest.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Director of Universiti Islam Antarabangsa
(UIA)’s Department of Industrial Relations, Dr Norbaiduri Ruslan, said
the people in the West are more responsible, better understand their
rights, and give priority to freedom and privacy.
“We are yet to be well informed (in this area). When we realise our
rights and other people’s rights, then we will know how to be mindful of
our actions, both in the virtual and real world,” he stated.
“The awareness campaign on how to be civic-minded in the cyberspace
and Internet must start at the primary school level. Currently, there is
too much exposure around the world, but our exposure is still limited.
We are not strong in the areas of spirituality and personal development,
and we are weak psychologically,” Norbaiduri pointed out.
“If we hanker too much to be on a par with the advanced countries, we will lose our culture,” she warned.
Norbaiduri said Malaysians need to be aware of their rights while
operating on the social media, and they should not take it for granted
that they can say anything without being mindful of the country’s laws.
A legal practitioner, Khairul Azam Abd Aziz, said writers must be
responsible for what they write – irrespective of the medium they use –
and they should also be prepared to face the consequences.
“If the writing is constructive, there is no reason to worry, but if
it is to disturb or jeopordise public peace, some form of regulation
must address that issue,” he said.
Meanwhile, a blogger, who wanted to be identified only as Hazrey,
said the government should review all existing Acts relating to the
social media for the benefit of future generations.
“The abuse of social media is getting increasingly rampant now. When
an adult resorts to doing something (on the Net) without any care or
concern and merely to take revenge for something, it can become a trend.
The younger generation is no exception, either,” he pointed out.
“At the children’s level, this can even give rise to the problem of cyber bullies,” Hazrey added.
Source: New Sabah Times
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