Charles Mok warns against 'Big Brother' censorship

Information technology lawmaker Charles Mok says the public needs to be aware of government attempts to censor the internet and social media. File photo: RTHK

Lawmaker Charles Mok has warned against following the examples of places like Singapore, which have legislation in place to guard against what they consider fake news.



Speaking on RTHK's Letter to Hong Kong, the information technology sector lawmaker claimed that the government and the police had been the biggest sources of misinformation in Hong Kong in recent months.



And he said attempts to remove fake news and baseless accusations from social media seem to suggest that the government is telling the truth - and its version of facts cannot be disputed.



"Beware of the government's evolving attempts to censor the internet and social media by drumming up the negative side," Mok said.



He said "Big Brother" wanted to stifle information critical of the administration because that was the number one rule of hanging on to power.



"We must continue to guard against internet censorship because no-one else will save us," Mok said.



"It is our - the people's own - free opinion versus the government's version of the only truth. That is what it's all about. It is worth the fight."