Clarification statement on the meeting with online news portal editors

The reason that the editors of online news portals were called in to the MCMC Thursday was to remind them that false or inaccurate reporting, or the spread of misinformation, can destabilise the peace and harmony of a country, its economy and national security. As such, the MCMC will not hesitate to take action against any party who falsely or inaccurately reports anything, or spreads misinformation which has not been verified.

This includes anything which appears in the social media as well as the reposting of stories or information from other sources which are unverified as these actions may also be in breach of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

It was reiterated to the online editors that The Sarawak Report was blocked by the MCMC under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, based on complaints and information received from the public.

As such, the statement by the Head of Monitoring and Enforcement Division of MCMC, Zulkarnain Mohd Yasin which has appeared in several online news portals, has to be taken in the context of an on-going investigation by the police and the Special Task Force and not as confirmation that there is no proof that the content of The Sarawak Report is false. In this respect, the headlines by several online news portals on this matter is misleading. In relation to this, any party found to have reposted any material from The Sarawak Report which is blocked, may be liable for regulatory action under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

The online editors who were present at the MCMC today include the editors and representatives from The Malaysian Insider, Malaysiakini, Digital News Asia, Astroawani.com, NST Online, Sinar Online, The Rakyat Post, Utusan Online, The Malaysian Reserve Online and The Star Online.