Malaysian Prime Minister promises harsh prison sentences for ‘fake news’

Malaysia’s scandal-ridden Prime Minister, Najib Razak, has had it with news he doesn’t like. Facing a hostile election environment after indicating he will dissolve the country’s parliament, he’s successfully urged the government to pass a law making it illegal to publish “fake news.” Offenders could be imprisoned for up to six years. While critics worry laws like this could infringe upon free speech, the Malaysian government offered the following reassurance: it won’t. Furthermore, the Malaysian law is reportedly going to take on the entire globe’s fake news problem. According to Reuters: It covers digital publications and social media and will apply…

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