‘Users can appeal if social media content taken down’

SOCIAL media content creators who feel their work was taken down unfairly can appeal to regulators, says Fahmi Fadzil.

“Whoever finds their content affected by this, can appeal to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and also the social media platform operators,” the Communications and Digital Minister told the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.

Fahmi said MCMC and social media platform operators would then study the content, and possibly reinstate the post.

“There is no issue. You can make an appeal,” he added.

Citing the example of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s speech at the Himpunan Malaysia Bersama Palestine gathering on Oct 24, Fahmi said some clips of Anwar’s speech uploaded to TikTok were removed by the platform.

“We asked TikTok officials why and they said there were graphic images uploaded.

“But when MCMC and I watched the video, it did not have any graphic images.

“We referred this back to TikTok, and the content could be reuploaded,” he added.

He also said removed content did not primarily revolve around 3R issues, but also content deemed inappropriate by the Communications and Multimedia Act.

Fahmi was responding to a supplementary question by Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (PN-Pasir Mas) during Minister’s Question Time.

Ahmad Fadhli had claimed there was interference by MCMC towards social media content that did not contain 3R elements, citing how a post linking PKR to Liberal International was taken down.

Ahmad Fadhli also raised the issue of HarakahDaily reporters’ media passes being revoked.

To this, Fahmi said he was made to understand that the PAS organ would appeal the decision, adding that it would be discussed with the Information Department.

“I want to stress that this is about journalism ethics. This not only applies to Harakah but all,” he said.

Separately, Fahmi said any efforts to amend the Communications and Multimedia Act had to be done holistically, and a priority amendment would be towards resolving Internet issues.

Meanwhile, he said a total of 133 content posts have been taken down by Telegram from Jan 1 till Oct 31 this year following requests from the MCMC.

He said this was curb the dissemination of pornography, scams and the sale of illegal items.