Its Internet Blackout Day in Malaysia (no need to go offline).
Internet Blackout Day is a campaign where Malaysians online are telling the Government that we are against the new Section 114A, which is part of the Malaysia Evidence Act 1950. The campaign is organised by Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ).
What is the purpose of Section 114A?
Section 114A deals with allegedly illicit or harmful content on the Internet. In short, the amendment enables law enforcement officials to swiftly hold someone accountable for publishing seditious, defamatory, or libelous content online.
How does Section 114A affect you?
Titled “Presumption of Fact in Publication”, Section 114A holds the following people accountable for publishing content online:
(1) those who own, administrate, or edit websites open to public contributors, such as online forums or blogs(including Facebook & Twitter);
(2) those who provide webhosting services or Internet access; and
(3) those own the computer or mobile device used to publish content online.
In other words, if allegedly defamatory content is traced back to your username, electronic device, and/or WiFi network, Section 114A presumes you are guilty of publishing illicit content on the Internet.
But what if you were the victim of identity theft and a hacker wrongfully used your Twitter or Facebook account to post defamatory content?
Under Section 114A, you are still considered guilty until proven innocent.
MalaysianWireless fully supports Internet Blackout Day and we hope that the Government of Malaysia would listen to its citizen and #stop114A.
[Link]- More details on Section 114A
[Link]- How to get involved and show support on Facebook/Twitter/Blogs
