And under a parallel amendment¹ to New Zealand's Crimes Act, a person who tells another to kill themselves faces up to three years in prison.

 

The law will help mitigate² the harm caused by cyber-bullying and give victims a quick and effective means of redress³, supporters said.

 

But critics said the law harms free speech and its fine print could threaten public interest journalism⁴ in the country.

 

Under the Harmful Digital Communications Act in effect from this week, anyone convicted of "causing harm by posting digital communication" faces two years in prison and a $50,000 (NZ) (£6,500) fine, while businesses face fines of up to $200,000 (NZ).

 

Harmful communications can include truthful⁵ as well as false information, and "intimate visual recordings⁶" such as nude⁷ or seminude pictures or video shared without permission.

 

The bill was introduced after a public outcry over the horrific "Roast Busters" scandal, in which a group of teenage boys fromAucklandwas accused of sexually assaulting drunk, under age girls and boasting about the acts on social media.

 

But in an editorial, New Zealand's Dominion⁸ Post said while the law's intentions were good, it went too far and could "pick up in its drift-net the sorts of noise and criticism that make for the talk of a free society".

 

Noting it effectively bans online communications judged "indecent", "false" or "used to harass⁹ an individual", the Post asked if reports on political expense scandals, or cartoons that mock religious figures, may also be banned under the legislation.

 

The bill passed the New Zealand parliament with an overwhelming 116 to 5 majority.

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