KUALA LUMPUR: Fahmi Fadzil stresses that he has never instructed any media outlet, including the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama), to disable the comment section on its social media accounts.
The Communications Minister stated that media outlets have the right to impose restrictions by methods they deem necessary, including closing the comment section, while taking into account the Federal Court's decision regarding readers’ comments posted on media portal sites.
"I would like to remind the honourable members about the Federal Court's ruling in 2021 concerning readers’ comments on a news portal.
"The Federal Court ruled that the platform is accountable for the comments posted, so we must exercise caution with the comments that appear," he said in his reply to a supplementary question from Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (PN-Pasir Mas) regarding disabled comment sections on social media accounts of media outlets, including Bernama, and the need to balance freedom of expression with legal measures against cyberbullying.
Responding to a supplementary question from R. Yuneswaran (PH-Segamat) about the measures taken by the ministry to ensure more effective content moderation on social media and in various languages, Fahmi said he had held discussions with TikTok.
"Each media platform manages its own moderation team, and in terms of monitoring by the MCMC (Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission), it depends on the public’s complaints.
"We have noticed a current phenomenon where many TikTok Live sessions occur late at night; in the case of TikTok Live involving the late Rajeswary Appahu, it took place around 3am or 4am, so adjustments in monitoring are necessary.
"In my discussions with TikTok, the platform viewed this incident seriously and has promptly increased the number of moderators who will carefully monitor live TikTok content and sessions in vernacular languages, including Tamil,” he said.
The media previously reported that Esha was found dead in a condominium unit in Setapak on July 5, a day after lodging a police report at the Dang Wangi police station over threats made against her.
Those suffering from mental health issues or contemplating suicide can reach out to the Mental Health Psychosocial Support Service (03-2935 9935 or 014-322 3392); Talian Kasih (15999 or 019-261 5999 on WhatsApp); Jakim's Family, Social and Community care centre (011-1959 8214 on WhatsApp); and Befrienders Kuala Lumpur (03-7627 2929), visit www.befrienders.org.my/centre-in-malaysia for a complete list of numbers and operating hours, or email sam@befrienders.org.my. – Bernama
