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New Cybercrime law must target news sites & bloggers—Hon Fraser
Speaking during the debate on Thursday, January 9, 2025, Hon Fraser called for the legislation to include provisions to curb defamatory and libelous statements, emphasising the harm such content can cause to individuals’ reputations.
“Shouldn't [besmirching an individual’s integrity] be considered harmful content as well?” Fraser asked during his presentation.
“We have situations where online news [and] bloggers get up and say anything they wish about an individual, even going as far as mentioning their names. Isn’t that harmful?” he asked the House.
Hon Fraser used the occasion to press for the need for the definition of ‘harmful content’ as proposed, to be expanded beyond its current scope, which includes child abuse material and content capable of causing psychological harm or violating public decency.
“If we’re going to talk about cybercrime, we need to put libel and defamation in that same category; Too many people are being harmed by those who are so careless and reckless as to do so.”
The Deputy Premier recounted personal experiences with defamatory content and expressed frustration at the lack of accountability for such behavior.
Acknowledging that public officials are often advised to ignore personal attacks, he insisted that the situation has become untenable saying, “As far as I am concerned, that was back then, several years ago, and this is today.”
Ambiguious Definitions
Hon Fraser additionally raised concerns over several key definitions and provisions in the bill, including the expanded definition of the term "computer."
The bill he explained proposes to include devices such as digital video recorders (DVRs), closed-circuit televisions (CCTVs), and cellular phones under this definition.
Hon Fraser criticised this approach, stating, “These things should not be defined as computers.”
He instead recommended that each device be listed separately to ensure clarity. “We should not allow anyone to categorize cell phones as computers. And besides, not all cell phones are computers.”
Common Law & Law Enforcement Powers
Hon Fraser also questioned the recurring use of the term "common law" in the amendments, describing it as vague and confusing.
“What is common law? This terminology keeps showing up... and none of us, the people who are responsible for making the law, knows what it is,” he said, calling for clearer definitions and explanations.
Hon Fraser also pointed to granting police officers and external law enforcement entities greater access to data during investigations and expressed concerns over the admissibility of evidence obtained outside established procedures, emphasising the need for stricter oversight.
Int’l Cooperation & Oversight
A proposed provision allowing the Commissioner of Police to authorise external parties to assist in criminal investigations also attracted Hon Fraser’s attention.
While he expressed no objection to the concept, he insisted however, that such actions must be regulated, and questioned hypothetically, “If the Commissioner is going outside of the Territory, I think that he should get clearance.”
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16 Responses to “New Cybercrime law must target news sites & bloggers—Hon Fraser”
You stubborn Fraser need to go and move that stupid ramp jump speed bump out of the road from $%^$&&** up people.
¡Vigílate! Be watchful!
Fraser does not know what Common Law is? WTF? And we wonder why we are %^$#?
How is it that a LEGISLATOR is clearly not aware that we already have laws regarding libel and defamation?