by The Associated Press
Last Updated Feb 19, 2021 at 1:25 am ADT
Malaysiakini s editor-in-chief Steven Gan speaks to the media at the Federal Court in in Putrajaya, Malaysia, Friday, Feb. 19, 2021. Malaysia’s top court ruled Friday that the popular online news portal was guilty of contempt for publishing readers comments that criticized the judiciary, in a rare case slammed by media groups as a clampdown on press freedom. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)
PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia Malaysia’s top court ruled Friday that a popular online news portal was guilty of contempt for publishing readers’ comments that criticized the judiciary, a landmark case slammed by media groups as a clampdown on press freedom.
Lawyers: Decision in Mkini case may curtail other news sites, social media
Modified22 Feb 2021, 10:18 am
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Lawyers and media groups have expressed concern over the Federal Court s decision to cite news organisation
Malaysiakini for contempt and fine it RM500,000 over five reader comments.
They are worried about its impact on press freedom, other news organisations and the public s ability to participate in online critical discourse.
They also questioned if social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter will now need to closely police Malaysian users or risk being cited for contempt.
Calling the fine amount excessive , lawyer Azira Aziz remarked that the decision placed an unfair burden on newsrooms.
The Straits Times
Malaysia s apex court takes it to task over readers comments posted on published piece
Malaysiakini s editor-in-chief Steven Gan leaving the Federal Court in Putrajaya yesterday. Although named as a defendant as well, he was not found guilty of contempt.PHOTO: REUTERS
Ram Anand Malaysia Correspondent In Kuala Lumpur
PublishedFeb 20, 2021, 5:00 am SGT
https://str.sg/JHXV
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Federal Court decision tomorrow on Malaysiakini s contempt case
Modified18 Feb 2021, 1:03 am
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Malaysiakini will know tomorrow the outcome of a contempt of court case against the news portal over a number of comments posted by its readers.
After two postponements due to the movement control order (MCO) which was enforced in Putrajaya, the Federal Court at the Palace of Justice is set to deliver its verdict at 9am.
According to an email from the Chief Registrar’s Office of the Federal Court, journalists are to follow proceedings not from the courtroom but via a live broadcast from the assembly hall at the Palace of Justice.