Home Ministry Questions 3 Over Sarawak Tribune Report

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The Home Ministry has called up three individuals from a Sarawak daily, Sarawak Tribune, to be questioned separately over a report on a slain Al Jazeera reporter.
This comes after the daily described Al Jazeera reporter Anas Al Sharif, a prominent face covering the war in Gaza, as a militant.
“The investigation is being done under the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 (PPPA) for a possible breach of licensing permit and publishing an article that may cause unease among the public.
“The ministry views this matter seriously and we wish to remind media outlets to be thorough, responsible, and ethical when publishing news, in addition to ensuring the report doesn’t cause a controversy or touch on public sensitivity,” it said in a statement today.
Those breaching the PPPA may face imprisonment of not more than three years, a fine not more than RM20,000, or both - in addition to the possibility of having the print media’s publishing licence revoked.
Daily apologised
On Aug 13, Sarawak Tribune apologised over a report on Anas’ death published a day before, after netizens criticised the daily’s headline on the reporter’s killing, headlined “Militant using press cover eliminated”.
“We unreservedly apologise to the family, colleagues, and friends of the late Anas, as well as to our readers and the wider media fraternity, for any distress caused.
“We also wish to make it clear that we stand firmly against the killing of journalists and the suppression of press freedom anywhere in the world,” it said in a statement.
Anas was killed alongside several other media personnel in a targeted Israeli attack on a tent housing journalists in Gaza City on Sunday.
He leaves behind a wife and two children.
Strict action
On that note, the Home Ministry said it would take strict action against any publication that publishes articles that could cause unease or jeopardise public order.
“And we will consider action under existing laws after investigations are completed,” it added.
According to Al Jazeera, the attack that killed Anas also took the lives of its correspondent, Mohammed Qreiqeh, and camera operators Ibrahim Zaher and Mohammed Noufal.
Also killed were freelance cameraman Momen Aliwa and freelance journalist Mohammed al-Khalidi. - Mkini

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