MCMC Wants You To Follow These Rules If You're A Chat Group Admin
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) released a set of guidelines for admins of social media chat groups yesterday, 3 May.
By Nandini Balakrishnan — 04 May 2017, 07:42 PM
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has released a set of do's and dont's for social media group administrators
The guidelines were posted on their Facebook page yesterday, 3 May, which also happens to be World Press Freedom Day.
MCMC advised the admins to be wise in using social media for their own protection.
Note that the guidelines apply to administrators of chatting groups on WhatsApp, Facebook, Telegram, Viber, WeChat, and other similar applications.
Here's the list of do's:
1) Inform members the reason for setting up the group and consider setting basic ground rules.
2) Be mindful of rules/conditions of use by platform provider.
3) Comment on posts to ensure discussions stay on track.
4) Check posts regularly (possibly with a moderator).
5) Consider removing or blocking those who persist in making inappropriate posts.
6) Cooperate in investigations by law enforcement agencies.
Here's the list of don'ts:
1) Be an absent administrator.
2) Breach community standards/guidelines set by platform provider (eg Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram).
3) Encourage, incite, or abet inappropriate posts.
4) Allow discussions to wander off topic.
5) Be afraid to deal firmly with trolls or individuals who continuously breach the ground rules.
6) Hinder/obstruct investigations by law enforcement agencies.
This comes after Malay daily Berita Harian reported a few days ago that WhatsApp application's group admins can be imprisoned if false news that may "threaten national security" is spread in groups administrated by them
In the report published on 26 April, Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Jailani Johari, said that laws under the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 could be used against these admins, if found guilty.
"The admin could be called in to assist with investigations, and whether or not actions are taken against the individual lies on the facts and details depending on the case."
"It doesn't matter whether they are fake, incorrect, or slanderous statements or news - the admin is responsible for his/her members," said Datuk Jailani.
If proven guilty for either indirectly or directly being involved in spreading false/inaccurate news or information, the admins will face legal actions.
He advised WhatsApp group admins to be more responsible in controlling their members, to ensure that false news is not spread and act as the gatekeepers to filter out inaccurate information before sharing on other social medial channels.