Serious concerns have been raised over the government’s announcement that a new regulatory framework aiming to curb online falsehood would be introduced in two weeks.
Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said that the media should protect the rights of all citizens and “unjust defamation” should be controlled. According to the state-owned Daily News, Education Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris had pointed out that Singapore too adopted such laws last year to curb online-based false news.
However, the statement has sparked outrage within the opposition camp with prominent opposition activists claiming that the government is preparing for a Singapore-style crackdown on websites.
Samagi Jana Balawegaya Youth Movement Propaganda Secretary Rasika Jayakody said the government was treading a dangerous path as the proposed mechanism would be in line with the Protection of Online Falsehood and Manipulation Act (POFMA) passed in Singapore last year.
"This bill, which was passed in Singapore, is extremely dangerous and can be used to punish those who operate websites that disseminate critical views of the government. It is clear that people are using web-based platforms to express their displeasure and disappointment with the current administration, as the mainstream media is largely controlled by close allies of the government. This is why the government is moving in the direction of suppressing websites and online platforms giving space to anti-government views,” he added.
"According to Singapore law, the government can remove any information from any website and publish forcible corrections on any website it wants, and could impose a 10-year prison sentence or a $ 10 million fine on non -compliant journalists. That's why it's a highly dangerous law that undermines basic tenets of democracy," Jayakody said.
"In addition, the most dangerous aspect of this is the ability of the government to access the data of those who use these websites. It raises serious doubts as to what the government will use the data for. How will this affect individual freedom and privacy? What will be the impact the freedom of expression enshrined in the Constitution? There should be a broader dialogue in society on these issues, ”he added.
"The Minister of Mass Media and Information has stated that this mechanism will be activated in two weeks. What is this inordinate haste? Why is there no discussion with journalists and media organizations on this matter? Why is no action being taken to reach an agreement with all parties on this issue? This is a blatant attempt to suppress anti-government voices under the pretext of curbing fake news,” he stated.
