PETALING JAYA, Sept 20 — PAS has criticised the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) for imposing RM100,000 fines each on the publishers of Sin Chew Daily and Sinar Harian, calling the move “media bullying” that could trigger self-censorship.
Party secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said the fines appeared to be aimed at pressuring the media to align with political or government expectations.
“In the publishing world, these steps already constitute a ‘punishment’ due to their impact on the media’s integrity and credibility in the eyes of readers,” he said, referring to the corrections and apologies issued by both outlets.
Media Bullying with heavy fines
“As long-established media organisations that have reported on national developments for decades across governments, parties, and leaders, both Sin Chew and Sinar Harian are certainly qualified to take appropriate action according to their positions, without being treated in such an unreasonable manner,” he added.
Takiyuddin stressed that only repeated violations would justify harsher measures. “PAS believes that internal actions by the Malaysian Media Council on this matter should be sufficient and respected. Any other action would only undermine the status, role, and purpose of the council, rendering it meaningless,” he said.
Backdrop:
The MCMC fined Sin Chew Media Corporation Bhd over an incomplete Jalur Gemilang illustration in its digital edition and penalised Sinar Karangkraf Sdn Bhd for an Instagram post that wrongly linked Inspector-General of Police Khalid Ismail to a political party. Both outlets have since issued corrections and apologies. The Malaysian Media Council has also criticised the fines as excessive and disproportionate.
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