Taiwan readies plans to curb “misinformation”

Proposed amendments to Taiwan’s All-out Defense Mobilization Act have raised free speech and freedom of the press concerns.

The National Defence Ministry is proposing higher penalties for spreading “misinformation” and “fake news” and giving the ministry more powers to force the media to help the military with investigations.

It argues that the amendments are necessary to combat “cognitive warfare.” China claims that the self-ruling island is part of its territory and has threatened to take it by force.