By Breaking Belize News Staff (HP): Belize’s cybercrime law is being rewritten to make sure criticism, journalism and satire are not treated as crimes.
Prime Minister John Briceño says the amendments are meant to ensure democratic debate is protected online.
“This protection is intended to ensure that democratic debate, investigative journalism, political criticism, and other forms of public discourse are not criminalized merely because they are offensive, embarrassing or critical of public figures,” Briceño said.
The bill would refocus the law on clearly defined and serious forms of technology facilitated abuse, such as fake or impersonated content passed off as real.
It also adds a safeguard. No one could be prosecuted under the Act without written approval from the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The amendments would also clarify when Belizean courts have authority to hear cybercrime cases.
The move comes as recent cases, from alleged credit card scams in the BPO sector to high profile online complaints, have shown how complex cybercrime has become as more business, communication and financial activity moves online.
The post Briceño: Criticizing public officials should not be a crime appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff (HP): Belize’s cybercrime law is being rewritten to make sure criticism, journalism and satire are not treated as crimes. Prime Minister John Briceño says the amendments are meant to ensure democratic debate is protected online. “This protection is intended to ensure that democratic debate, investigative journalism, political criticism, and other
The post Briceño: Criticizing public officials should not be a crime appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
