Kuala Lumpur: Thailand has made reports that stoke fears in the public illegal amid rising COVID-19 cases.
The country now empowers officials to prohibit online reports that cause “fear,” even if they are genuine.
Some have criticised the measure as an attempt to silence debate about the government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Anyone who causes “misunderstandings” or jeopardises national security during the country’s state of emergency will face penalties.
The clause gives officials the authority to track down the source of online content and prohibit it, as well as send over information to police for prosecution.
Under the e-Government Act, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha’s government is entitled to pass the new rule without parliamentary approval.
Thailand is under an emergency since March 2020. People have protested against the emergency and against the government’s response to the COVID-19 crisis.
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