Govt not trying to muzzle media via MCMC, says ministry

The MCMC advised media practitioners and news outlets to refer to the Content Code which provides a clear guide on content standards in line with the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588). (MCMC pic)

PETALING JAYA: The communications and digital ministry has denied it is attempting to curb media freedom through actions taken by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) against news portals.

The ministry said the regulatory body’s role was to ensure that information was being disseminated responsibly and also to prevent inaccurate information as well as hate speech from spreading, Bernama reported.

“MCMC has the authority and duty to take regulatory action against the spread of false information, as well as offensive, threatening and defamatory content,” it stated in a written parliamentary reply.

The ministry said this in response to a question by Ismail Sabri Yaakob (BN-Bera) on the status of the proposed act related to 3R (royalty, religion and race)-related offences and the restrictions imposed on news portals such as Utusan TV, MalaysiaNow and TV Pertiwi.

The MCMC also advised media practitioners and news outlets to refer to the Content Code which provides a clear guide on content standards in line with the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588).

“By complying with the Content Code, media practitioners can ensure responsible reporting in addition to avoiding overstepping the bounds of freedom of expression.”