An Overview of Online Civil Society & Anti-Fake News Law From Legal and Islamic Perspectives

• Main Authors: Ayub, Zainal Amin, Mohamed Yusoff, Zuryati
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Tianjin Daxue/Tianjin University 2021
• Subjects: K Law (General)
• Online Access: https://repo.uum.edu.my/id/eprint/31089/1/TDX%2054%2012%202021%2020-33.pdf; https://repo.uum.edu.my/id/eprint/31089/; https://tianjindaxuexuebao.com/details.php?id=DOI:10.17605/OSF.IO/7QBMH

There are three principles of civil society in any cultural context; participatory engagement, constitutional authority and moral responsibility. These principles relate to the legal framework of any countries, embedded in the domestic legislation. However, the proliferation of online social networking causes dissemination of fake news flourish. Countries try to cope the problem by enacting legislation. However, some sees online fake news as something that need to be controlled, limiting the freedom of expression, independence of media and progressiveness of civil society. The aim of this article is to examine the compatibility of anti-fake news legislation within the principles of Islamic civil society. The article adopts the doctrinal research methodology. The article finds that the principles of Islamic civil society is in harmony with any legislation to curb dissemination of fake news and as such, compatible within the Islamic context. The article also finds that despite various categories or types of fake news, Islam prohibits any dissemination of fake news even if it is satirical. Hence, the enactment of anti-fake news legislation to curb fake news is suggested in order to strengthen the progressive Islamic civil society, hence enabling the society to achieve harmony and peace