A Survey on the Culture of Online Shaming: A Malaysian Experience

Abstract

This study investigates the culture of online shaming in Malaysia. A survey amongst 320 UiTM law students was conducted using a five-point Likert scale survey questionnaire. A cross-sectional data was collected from 320 respondents. The survey finding indicates that online shaming postings are commonly found in social media application like Whatsapp, Instagram, Youtube, Facebook and Twitter. The survey finding also indicates that the most common behaviors associated with online shaming are sexism, racism or religious bigotry. Based on the findings, this paper concludes that the culture of online shaming in Malaysia is worrying and leads to abuse. The findings of the survey help to provide a beneficial input to the government, legislature and the public on the culture of online shaming in Malaysia, and the legal consequences of online shaming. This study urges for an awareness campaign to be undertaken at institution of higher learning and schools with emphasizes on the legal implications of online shaming arising from section 114A of the Evidence Act 1950 (presumption of online publication), section 211 of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (prohibition of online publication of false, annoying and threatening materials), Sedition Act 1948, Official Secrets Act 1972 and Data Protection Act 2010.