DidikTV case shows need for law on cyberbullying, says minister

 

Saifuddin Abdullah says both the teacher and the education ministry should not be criticised over the viral video.

KUANTAN: Criticism and mocking of a teacher’s televised science lesson in English amounts to cyberbullying, communications and multimedia minister Saifuddin Abdullah said here today.

He said the people should take into account the fact that the teacher is not a professional actor and might not have undergone broadcast training before the video recording was made.

“She should not be criticised for doing her job as an educator … I also think that the education ministry should not be treated (criticised) like that because this is a new thing and of course there are weaknesses here and there.

“These weaknesses need to be addressed to ensure its content will be improved from time to time,” he told reporters here.

There has been an outpouring of scorn on social media after a short video clip made the rounds showing a teacher explaining the reproduction system in poor English on the newly launched educational channel DidikTV.

Saifuddin said the communications and multimedia ministry was ready to assist the education ministry in the preparation of DidikTV content, using expertise of the national film corporation Finas.

Need for new law on cyberbullying

He reiterated that specific legislation against cyberbullying should be introduced as victims might develop problems such as depression or suicidal thoughts.

“We do not know the exact number of cyberbullying victims because they don’t report … either because they don’t know they can or they think there is no action that can be taken if they make a report. We cannot blame them for that.

“We have laws like the Communications and Multimedia Commission Act and the Penal Code, but in relation to cyberbullying, a study has found that more than 80% of legal practitioners think we need a specific law on cyberbullying,” he said.

Saifuddin said the ministry is preparing a Cabinet paper to get a policy decision and has started the initial draft of the anti-cyberbullying bill so that it can be expedited once Parliament resumes its sitting.

Saifuddin was here for a constituency event in Indera Mahkota, where he is MP. - FMT