Several months after investigating the network, Malaysian police raided Al Jazeera office in Kuala Lumpur, the Malaysian capital.
In a major crackdown on the media, Malaysian police raided Al Jazeera Kuala Lumpur office on Tuesday. The move comes amid reports that the Malaysian government has rounded up hundreds of migrants and refugees.
- 101 East is an Al Jazeera news program that features a short documentary each week.
- Malaysian authorities have launched an investigation into the media for slandering the Al Jazeera administration.
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101 East
101 The most recent tension between the Malaysian establishment and Al Jazeera began because of an episode in the East. 101 East is an Al Jazeera news program that features a short documentary each week.
Each chapter takes a deep dive into a message from the Asia-Pacific region.
The episode in question, “Locked up in Lockdown” aired on July 3rd. It surrounded undocumented immigrants amid a coronavirus outbreak. The government said it was interviewing these individuals to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
However, many human rights activists spoke out against the practice, saying it was unethical.
Al Jazeera, widely regarded for its impartial, factual report, angered the government by drawing attention to the move.
Treating journalists as criminals
Malaysian authorities have launched an investigation into the media for slandering the Al Jazeera administration.
The government has also accused the show of violating the country’s communications and multimedia laws.
Communications Minister Saifuddin Abdulla said Al Jazeera had failed to get permission to film the documentary. However, the network says that since it is a weekly show, East 101 does not require a movie license.
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Malaysian officials have called several reporters for questioning. South China Morning Post reporter Tashny Sukumaran and refugee activist Wan Noor Hayati Wan Alias were both questioned after sharing information about the story online.
Employees and interviewers included in the documentary face death threats and the government disclosed personal information online. All of this is an attempt to intimidate and endanger these people.
The Committee to Protect Journalists’ (CPJ) Shawn Crispin said the Malaysian administration should “stop treating journalists as criminals and allow the press to report on public interests without fear of retaliation.”
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Amnesty International Malaysia also writes on Twitter:
“Government’s repression of immigrants and refugees, as well as those who speak out in their defense, refers to silence and intimidation, and should be condemned.”
Check-in at the Kuala Lumpur office
Several months after investigating the network, Malaysian police raided Al Jazeera office in Kuala Lumpur, the Malaysian capital. During the raid, police confiscated two computers.
The head of Al Jazeera English commented on the test:
“A raid on our office and the seizure of computers shows a complex expansion in the repression of media freedom by the authorities and their willingness to intimidate journalists. Al Jazeera stands by our journalists, we support our report. Our staff did their job, and apologize for responding to them There is nothing to ask. The press is not a crime. ”
An issue close to home
The issue of undermining the press is not specific to Malaysia, especially at this time, it is very important. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) said on the matter:
“It is urgent for Malaysia to prioritize the public’s right to know during epidemics so that the media can report freely and fairly without the threat of harassment.”
As the COVID-19 epidemic spreads and demonstrations against police brutality continue, the need for an independent and truthful press is here in the US. Is on. On Friday, riot gear police rallied, removing hundreds of demonstrators from the streets by truck.
Meanwhile, the government continues to downplay media calls for COVID-19 combat security operations. It is also important to point out that the United States currently holds undocumented immigrants amid security concerns raised by the epidemic.
Malaysia’s handling of their journalists is somewhat harsh, but at the moment, the parallel between the Trump administration and the Muhyiddin Yassin administration cannot be ignored.
