Seoul: The revised law on information and communication is aimed at minimizing negative effects of false information while guaranteeing the freedom of speech, Prime Minister Han Seong-sook said Tuesday, amid opposition claims that it amounts to putting gags on the people.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the revision to the Information and Communications Network Act, which went into force on Tuesday, defines information that instigates violence and discrimination based on race, nationality, region, gender, and other factors as illegal and requires platform operators to remove or block content that contains false or manipulated information.
"The government will deal sternly with obviously false and fabricated information and illegal acts while guaranteeing the freedom of speech regarding legitimate criticism and various opinions," Han said during a Cabinet meeting. "Online platforms are a space for communication and act as an important arena for the development of democracy."
Han emphasized that the negative effects from false and manipulated information have grown, and the revision is aimed at minimizing them. However, the main opposition People Power Party has criticized the revision, arguing that it is intended to silence the public. They assert that platform operators will be compelled to censor information to avoid displeasing the government, leading to users being intimidated into self-censorship due to the fear of lawsuits and criminal complaints.