After TV Pertiwi claims blocked online, MCMC says it must prevent misinformation
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 18 — After TV Pertiwi claimed that authorities have blocked access to its portal, the government’s online regulator Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) said it has the legal duty of preventing misinformation offences and is preparing for an assessment of outlet.
In a press statement today, the MCMC said it “remains steadfast in fulfilling its obligations under the Communications and Multimedia Act of 1998 (CMA 1998) to prevent the commission or any attempted commission of offenses, particularly pertaining to misinformation”.
“As we prepare for the upcoming assessment of TV Pertiwi, we strive to demonstrate our accountability in fulfilling our regulatory duties. Any action taken is subject to the investigation to ensure the integrity and security of information disseminated through media and content platforms.
“MCMC remains committed to uphold the rule of law and protect the public interest,” MCMC said in its three-paragraph statement titled “Action taken for assessment of offence under Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA 1998)”.
In a statement posted on its Facebook page last night, TV Pertiwi’s CEO Mohd Firdaus Salleh Hudin claimed that the government had blocked access to its website on that day, but his company did not receive a notice over the alleged block.
In the same statement, TV Pertiwi urged both MCMC and the Communications and Digital Ministry to explain the matter and to state what offences had been committed by the portal, describing itself as being an independent media organisation and believing news outlets are free to publish any content relating to “race, religion and royalty” (3R) as long as it does not touch on anyone’s sensitivities.
TV Pertiwi also claimed that its TikTok account which has around 63,000 followers had been blocked on August 15 without any explanation, adding that it would lodge a police report and make an official complaint to MCMC.
Today, TV Pertiwi said on its Facebook page that Mohd Firdaus had lodged a police report at the Bandar Baru Bangi police station at Bangi, Selangor.
In a video posted on its Facebook page, Mohd Firdaus said the police report was to urge for the lifting of the blocking of access to TV Pertiwi’s website, saying that this is a serious and important matter as it involves the Federal Constitution’s Article 10 which he said touches on freedom of speech and is linked to media freedom.
In the video, Mohd Firdaus was reported saying that the same content had been posted on other platform like YouTube and Facebook without touching on 3R issues, and was heard claiming that none of the content triggers sensitivity such as 3R issues and that action had been taken on the website and the TikTok account.
“So, this is a serious matter that we question. So, we hope the government, the minister himself gives a response on this matter,” he said in the brief video clip.
News outlet Malaysiakini yesterday reported that it had learnt that TV Pertiwi’s TikTok account was removed due to repeated violations of the platform’s community guidelines, instead of being due to the government’s instructions.
Malaysiakini reported that TikTok was understood to have banned TV Pertiwi’s account due to repeated breaches over content with harmful misinformation which could cause real-world harm, and that some content had previously been removed from the TikTok account with TV Pertiwi informed that further violations could result in the account being banned.
Malaysiakini said it was not clear which of TV Pertiwi’s TikTok posts had violated the platform’s community standards.
