MCMC detects 33 broadcasting violations on TV and radio

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Communi­cations and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) recorded 1,000 TV and radio hours in the country last year and found 33 broadcasting violations.

No, it was not because of un-bleeped swear words, violence or provocative imagery.

All violations were found in advertisements peddling products with unfounded health claims.

MCMC network security and enforcement chief officer Zulkarnain Mohd Yasin said the agency screened airtime of over 56 local television and radio channels at its 24-hour content monitoring centre (CMC).

There was no content violation detected throughout 2016 but the thorn came from the commercials in between, said Zulkarnain.

The commercials were either selling products that had not received approval from the Health Ministry or were highlighting beneficial properties that were unproven.

“They were either food or cosmetics or health products. They were putting up medicinal claims; that this product could do this or make you look like this.

“But they have not gone through the ministry’s pharmacy or food safety and quality departments.

“Most of our TV and radio content is good. Our broadcasters have been highly compliant. But it is their clients who are airing advertise­ments without approval,” Zulkarnain said.

Last year, MCMC also blocked 37 websites for false advertisement of drugs, cosmetics or food products after receiving complaints from the Health Ministry.