Respons Kerajaan Terhadap Penyebaran Berita Palsu di Media Sosial Semasa Pilihan Raya Umum ke-14 (PRU-14)

The advancement of internet and communication technologies has expanded public access to information. However, the spread of fake news on social media has undermined the credibility of such information. Fake news is not merely a digital phenomenon, but a continuation of long-standing traditions of information control since British colonial rule. Laws such as the Printing Presses Ordinance 1948 and Sedition Act 1948 were used to suppress dissent. This tradition continued in post independence Malaysia through the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984, the Sedition Act 1948, and the Universities and University Colleges Act (AUKU). While the medium of dissemination has evolved with social media, the principle of state control remains. This article examines the Malaysian government’s response to fake news on social media during the 14th General Election (GE14), within the historical framework of information regulation. Responses included the Anti-Fake News Act 2018, deployment of security institutions, and limitations on political and academic discourse. Using a qualitative approach through interviews, document analysis and secondary data, this study concludes that information control in Malaysia demonstrates a consistent and adaptive pattern. The findings argue for a more balanced approach between regulation and freedom of expression to safeguard long-term political stability.