• About Us
    • Fact Checking Policy
    • Ownership & funding information
  • Volunteer
    • Internship with The Online Citizen
  • Donation
  • Subscription
  • Letter submission
    • Submissions Policy
  • Contact Us
The Online Citizen Asia
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Commentaries
    • Comments
  • Current Affairs
    • Malaysia
    • Indonesia
    • China
    • ASEAN
    • Asia
    • International
  • Finance
    • Economics
    • Labour
    • Property
    • Business
  • Community
    • Civil Society
    • Arts & Culture
    • Consumer Watch
    • NGO
  • Politics
    • Parliament
    • Transport
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
  • Law & Order
    • Legislation
    • Court Cases
  • Lifestyle
    • Travel
No Result
View All Result
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Commentaries
    • Comments
  • Current Affairs
    • Malaysia
    • Indonesia
    • China
    • ASEAN
    • Asia
    • International
  • Finance
    • Economics
    • Labour
    • Property
    • Business
  • Community
    • Civil Society
    • Arts & Culture
    • Consumer Watch
    • NGO
  • Politics
    • Parliament
    • Transport
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
  • Law & Order
    • Legislation
    • Court Cases
  • Lifestyle
    • Travel
No Result
View All Result
The Online Citizen Asia
No Result
View All Result

Malaysian news site hit with massive fine amid press freedom fears

by The Online Citizen
19/02/2021
in Court Cases, Malaysia, Media
Reading Time: 2 mins read
1
Malaysian news site hit with massive fine amid press freedom fears

Source: Malaysiakini website screengrab.

A leading Malaysian news site was fined S$164,500 Friday over readers’ comments that criticised the judiciary, in a case that has sparked alarm about deteriorating press freedom.

Concerns have been growing that independent media are under attack in the Southeast Asian nation since a scandal-plagued coalition seized power without an election last year following the collapse of a reformist government.

Malaysiakini, a popular portal that has made a name for itself by reporting on the misdeeds of the ruling elite, and its editor-in-chief Steven Gan, were accused of contempt of court in a case brought by the attorney general last year.

It related to five readers’ comments posted under an article that were critical of the judiciary, which authorities say had eroded public confidence in the courts.

A panel of judges at the country’s top court ruled that Malaysiakini was guilty of contempt and ordered the site to pay a 500,000 ringgit (S$164,500) fine by next week.

Gan, however, was cleared. He could have faced a jail term if convicted.

Judge Rohana Yusuf, delivering the verdict, told the Federal Court in the administrative capital Putrajaya that the case would “attract worldwide attention”, with some believing it had “threatened media independence”.

But she went on: “While freedom of opinion and expression is protected by the federal constitution, it must be… within the bounds permissible by law.

“And the law does not tolerate contempt of court as it undermines the system of judiciary.”

She said the comments on the site were “reprehensible” and involved “allegations of corruption which were unproven and untrue”.

It was a split decision, with one of the seven judges dissenting.

During the case, prosecutors argued Malaysiakini had facilitated publication of the remarks but lawyers for the site said they had not intended to publish them, and they were removed quickly once police notified the portal.

Malaysiakini is one of the country’s leading current-affairs websites and has long reported on corruption scandals linked to officials, an area usually off limits for the traditionally pro-government mainstream media.

– AFP

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Source: AFP
Tags: AFPMalaysiaMalaysiakini
Subscribe
Connect withD
Login
I allow to create an account
When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account.
DisagreeAgree
Notify of
I allow to create an account
When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account.
DisagreeAgree
1 Comment
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Recent Posts

  • Russia and China thwarting international response to Myanmar crisis: EU
  • Roy Ngerng raises over S$70,000 over 4 days of fund raising to pay for PM Lee’s defamation damage
  • The Economist says “pugnacious” and “whippersnapper” Chan will replace Heng
  • Forbes says India’s COVID-19 outbreak is world’s worst with highest daily cases among all nations
  • 20 new cases of COVID-19 infection in S’pore; One new case in dormitory
  • 32 new cases of COVID-19 infection in S’pore; One new community case
  • No news of investigation into allegations against PAP Ivan Lim 9 months after GE
  • Heng Swee Keat too old at 60 to be PM but PM Lee, pushing 70 is not too old to stay on indefinitely?

Trending posts

ITE transgender student allegedly “disciplined” for using women’s bathroom, threatened with criminal prosecution if she continues to do so

PAP’s failed succession plan; Is there more that meets the eye?

The Economist says “pugnacious” and “whippersnapper” Chan will replace Heng

Heng Swee Keat too old at 60 to be PM but PM Lee, pushing 70 is not too old to stay on indefinitely?

No news of investigation into allegations against PAP Ivan Lim 9 months after GE

Chan echoes PM Lee assuring that same team still in place despite Heng stepping aside as 4G leader

Roy Ngerng raises over S$70,000 over 4 days of fund raising to pay for PM Lee’s defamation damage

Over S$45,000 raised by Roy Ngerng in two days to pay for defamation damages to Lee Hsien Loong

From “deeply honored” by PM Lee’s and Cabinet colleagues’ trust to “too short a runway” in 2 years

32 new cases of COVID-19 infection in S’pore; One new community case

Load More
February 2021
MTWTFSS
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
« Jan   Mar »
  • About Us
  • Volunteer
  • Donation
  • Subscription
  • Letter submission
  • Contact Us

© 2006 - 2021 The Online Citizen

No Result
View All Result
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Commentaries
    • Comments
  • Current Affairs
    • Malaysia
    • Indonesia
    • China
    • ASEAN
    • Asia
    • International
  • Finance
    • Economics
    • Labour
    • Property
    • Business
  • Community
    • Civil Society
    • Arts & Culture
    • Consumer Watch
    • NGO
  • Politics
    • Parliament
    • Transport
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
  • Law & Order
    • Legislation
    • Court Cases
  • Lifestyle
    • Travel
  • Subscribers login

© 2006 - 2021 The Online Citizen

wpDiscuz
1
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x
| Reply