MH370: NGOs send protest memorandum for inaccurate reports by CNN, Fox News

Four non-governmental organisations handed in a protest memorandum on two American news agencies which allegedly provided inaccurate coverage and a bad image of Malaysia in connection with the MH370 tragedy.

The four NGOs are the Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association(PPIM), Malaysian Media Foundation (MMF), International Muslim Consumers Association (IMCA) and Batas Malaysia (Bersekutu).

Head activist of PPIM Datuk Nadzim Johan said the two news agencies were the Cable News Network (CNN) and Fox News which not only gave inaccurate reports but was also unethical in covering the MH370 tragedy.

"There is press freedom, but do not go overboard in spreading lies.

"Media practitioners have to be more responsible in writing news, because untrue news could create uneasiness among the people," he said after presenting the memorandum to a representative of the American embassy here at 3.30pm.

He said, as professional media practitioners, both these news agencies should study (the situation) before releasing news.

For instance, Nadzim said, the CNN journalist covering the news did not know about this country and reported that Kuala Lumpur was in Indonesia.

Meanwhile, MMF President Dzulkarnain Taib expressed his regret that the agencies failed to observe journalism ethics.

"We (MMF) are willing to give them free basic journalism training, especially to CNN and Fox News," he said.

He added that such practice by media practitioners was akin to journalistic prostitution.

About 100 supporters of these NGOs gathered in front of the embassy holding banners with the words: "Malaysia is not a terrorist country, stop lies about Islam and Malaysia" and "Boycott CNN & Fox News Channel".

Several members of the police force guarded the building to avoid any untoward incidents.

The Boeing 777-200ER belonging to Malaysia Airlines which carried 227 passengers and 12 crew was lost on March 8 about an hour after departing from Kuala Lumpur International Airport at 12.41am.

Investigation results and an analysis of satellite data show that the flight ended in the Southern Indian Ocean.

The search and rescue operation is still on-going.