KUALA LUMPUR: The RM100,000 fines imposed on Sin Chew Media Corporation Bhd and Sinar Karangkraf Sdn Bhd over a national flag gaffe and inaccurate information have been described as “excessive and disproportionate” to the alleged offences.
The Malaysian Media Council expressed concern that such heavy penalties could foster a climate of fear and self-censorship among journalists and editors, which could weaken the media’s ability to inform the public and hold those in power accountable.
“The council recognises Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission’s mandate under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, yet enforcement must be applied with balance and fairness.
“Inadvertent mistakes, though regrettable, should invite proportionate and corrective measures, not punitive sanctions that threaten newsroom viability, discourage public-interest reporting, or limit the diversity of voices in our media ecosystem,” it said in a statement today.
The council said the issue is pressing as Malaysia’s media industry navigates rapid technological changes, with Artificial Intelligence and other digital tools transforming how news is gathered, verified and distributed.
It said excessive penalties create uncertainty and may deter newsrooms from experimenting and innovating with these technologies, to the detriment of a more dynamic and forward-looking media landscape.
The council urged constructive engagement between MCMC, the Home Ministry, media organisations and the council itself to develop clearer guidelines and a transparent, collaborative framework for addressing such matters.
Earlier today, MCMC imposed fines of RM100,000 each on the two newspapers.
Action against Sin Chew Media was taken following an investigation that found the media outlet had uploaded an incomplete illustration of the Jalur Gemilang on its digital newspaper platform.
Meanwhile, Sinar Karangkraf was fined over a post on its official Instagram account containing false information about Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail’s alleged involvement in a political party.
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