Calls for Digital Exile Grow as Even Pro-Government Groups Oppose New 'Fake News' Law

[Anchor]

The revised Information and Communications Network Act, often referred to as the "Fake News Punishment Act," went into effect yesterday, July 7. There is still no clear definition of what constitutes false or manipulated information, nor is there a clear standard for how it will be judged. As a result, there is a growing movement online to "digitally exile" to overseas platforms to avoid potential punishment.

Bae Seong-jae reports.

[Reporter]

"The beginning of digital exile," "Let's move to Reddit."

Throughout the day, it was easy to find posts on domestic online communities urging users to move their activities to overseas public forums like Reddit.

The implementation of the so-called "Fake News Punishment Act" has fueled anxiety among users who fear their own comments might be subject to legal action.

[Park Go-eun, Oh Hye-jin: People might easily misunderstand differences in perspective, and I think people will become more cautious because it's easier to report others.]

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

Some organizations, including the May 18 Memorial Foundation, have evaluated the law as a "meaningful step forward in defining hate speech, which was previously 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 prevalent.

Critics argue that because there is no clear standard for what constitutes "false or manipulated information," the law will inevitably stifle freedom of expression.

People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy (PSPD) criticized the law, stating, "It is inappropriate for the state to be the one to judge what constitutes false or manipulated information."

[Heo Jin-min / Lawyer at People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy: The law should only punish false or manipulated information that truly requires legal action, but in practice, it is making areas that should be protected under freedom of expression subject to criminal punishment.]

A national petition demanding the withdrawal of the revised Information and Communications Network Act, which was posted on the National Assembly website at the end of May, has surpassed 140,000 signatures.

Experts warn that if the controversy and concerns surrounding the early stages of the law's implementation are not addressed quickly, the "July 7 Law 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.