Calls for Digital Exile Grow Amid Concerns Over Chilled Freedom of Expression

[Anchor]

The revised Information and Communications Network Act, often referred to as the "Fake News Punishment Act," has gone into effect. As the definitions and criteria for what constitutes false or manipulated information remain unclear, there is a growing movement online for users to seek "digital exile" abroad to avoid the risk of punishment.

Bae Seong-jae reports.

[Reporter]

"This is the beginning of digital exile," and "Let's move to Reddit."

Throughout the day, posts encouraging users to move their activities to overseas public forums like Reddit were easily found on domestic online communities.

The implementation of the so-called "Fake News Punishment Act" has fueled anxiety, with many fearing that their own comments could be subject to punishment.

[Park Go-eun and Oh Hye-jin: People might easily misunderstand differences in perspective and report them quickly, so I think I will be more cautious.]

[Kim Ki-bum / Yangcheon-gu, Seoul: It is not good because it takes away the right to speak. Even if something is logically correct, it might be blocked.]

Some organizations, including the 5.18 Memorial Foundation, have evaluated the law as a "meaningful step forward in defining hate speech, which had previously been in a legal blind spot, as illegal information."

On the other hand, concerns regarding side effects that were raised even before the law's implementation remain persistent.

Critics argue that because there are no clear criteria for what constitutes "false or manipulated information," it will inevitably stifle freedom of expression.

Even organizations often classified as pro-government, such as People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy (PSPD), have criticized the law, stating that "the state determining what constitutes false or manipulated information is inherently inappropriate."

[Heo Jin-min / Lawyer at People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy: The law should narrowly target false and manipulated information that requires punishment, but in practice, areas that should be protected under freedom of expression are becoming subject to criminal punishment.]

As of late May, a public petition on the National Assembly website demanding the withdrawal of the revised Information and Communications Network Act had surpassed 140,000 signatures.

Experts point out that if the controversy and concerns surrounding the early stages of implementation are not addressed promptly, the "July 7 Phobia" and digital exile could become a reality.

(Video Editing: Choi Hye-ran, VJ: Kim Hyung-jin)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.