State Department Expresses Concern that Korea’s Fake News Law will be Used to Target U.S. Social Media Companies
I don’t think this law is meant to target US social media companies. I think it is meant to target speech certain politicians don’t agree with:
The U.S. Department of State expressed “significant concerns” over Korea’s recently revised Information and Communications Network Act, commonly known as the “fake news” law, amid worries that the law could restrict free speech and negatively affect American platforms operating here.
“The United States has significant concerns with the ROK government’s approval of an amendment to the Network Act that risks negatively impacting the business of U.S.-based online platforms and undermining free speech,” the department’s press office said in response to an inquiry from The Korea Times, referring to Korea by an abbreviation of its official name, the Republic of Korea.
“We expect the ROK to deliver on its commitment to ensuring that U.S. companies are not discriminated against and do not face unnecessary barriers in terms of laws and policies concerning digital services,” it added.
You can read more at the link.
Doesn’t matter who it targets. Freedom of speech is the dividing line, not politics.
Consider these statements:
“Covid probably escaped from a Chinese laboratory.”
“The Hunter Biden laptop is authentic.”
“President Biden is cognitively impaired.”
“The processed food industries have guided government policies on nutrition.”
“The covid vaccine is less affective and more dangerous than authorities admit.”
“The Steele dossier is a fake hit piece on Trump.”
“The government and social media platforms have been working together to spread false narratives and deplatform opposing views.”
“Tobacco companies knew the dangers.”
All of these are statements that authorities, media organizations, experts, or platforms have called false, misinformation, conspiracy theories, or unsupported claims.
Some later proved true or at least substantially more plausible than initially presented.
A law that makes the cost of being controversially wrong potentially catastrophic can produce self-censorship even without the government ever prosecuting anyone.
Censorship of uncomfortable truths is not the action of the good guys.
The Minjoo Party keeps following the same playbook. They package sweeping new laws under slogans like “democracy” and “human rights,” phrases that sound reassuring and are meant to convince people they’re protecting ordinary citizens. But lofty rhetoric doesn’t guarantee good policy.
In practice, these laws can come at the expense of the very freedoms the country fought so hard to secure. And this isn’t just about politicians. If the scope of government power expands, the consequences can reach everyone.