Al Jazeera Says Malaysian Office Raided Over Documentary

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Al Jazeera is under investigation for alleged sedition, defamation and transmitting offensive content. (Reuters pic)Kuala Lumpur: Police raided Al Jazeera’s office here today and seized computers as part of an investigation into a documentary about migrants that has angered the government, the broadcaster said
Authorities launched the probe into the Qatar-based broadcaster’s programme last month, adding to concerns about worsening media freedom in Malaysia
The documentary – “Locked Up in Malaysia’s Lockdown” – looked at the detention of undocumented foreigners when strict Covid-19 curbs were in place, as well as the plight of other migrants
The broadcaster confirmed the raid in a statement and said two computers were seized
“Conducting a raid on our office and seizing computers is a troubling escalation in the authorities’ crackdown on media freedom,” said Giles Trendle, managing director of Al Jazeera English
“Al Jazeera calls upon the Malaysian authorities to cease this criminal investigation into our journalists.”Police did not respond to requests for comment
The government has slammed the programme as misleading and inaccurate, and police are investigating the broadcaster for breaking laws against sedition, defamation and transmitting offensive content
Seven Al Jazeera journalists, including five Australians, were called in for questioning last month while a Bangladeshi migrant worker interviewed in the programme has been arrested
Police have insisted the investigation will be fair, and the journalists are being questioned as witnesses rather than suspects
Authorities insist the arrests in May of undocumented migrants were necessary to protect the public, although rights groups raised concerns that placing them in detention centres could increase the risk of coronavirus infection
Malaysia is home to large numbers of migrants from poorer countries, including Indonesia, Bangladesh and Myanmar, who work in industries ranging from manufacturing to agriculture

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