Hong Kong’s Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has struck down a proposed anti-fake news law. He believes that the media industry has improved its practices, and self-discipline among journalists can effectively address the spread of false information.
According to Lee, he has witnessed efforts by media outlets to combat misinformation. He stated, ‘If the industry can tackle this problem by maintaining self-discipline and professionalism, we should go for this as the first option.’
The anti-fake news bill was initially proposed in 2021 by former Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor. It aimed to address the spread of false information during the 2019 social unrest. However, the Hong Kong Journalists’ Association raised concerns about its potential chilling effect on independent news organizations.
Justice Secretary Paul Lam Ting-kwok previously stated that the existing Article 23 of the Basic Law, which includes sedition offenses and prohibits the spread of false statements that threaten national security, partially addresses the need for an anti-fake news law.
Citing challenges faced by Singapore’s Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act, Lam questioned the effectiveness and potential negative consequences of such legislation.
