Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil has slammed Meta today for removing social media posts from the local press covering Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s meeting with a Hamas leader.
Fahmi said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission will be sending Meta a letter to request its explanation of what happened.
He added that he would be following up with his own letter.
"As the communications minister, I condemn the actions of Meta in taking down articles or posts from the media.
“Not to mention that these were reports about the prime minister's official visit to Qatar and a meeting with the political wing of an organisation, not the militant wing or the military wing,” Fahmi said in a press conference at his ministry in Putrajaya.
He was commenting on Facebook removing posts from Malaysiakini and Sinar Harian.
The reason given to Malaysiakini was that it went against community standards on dangerous individuals and organisations.
Another news portal, Malaysia Gazette, had its Facebook account deleted after posting about Palestine last month. The portal was forced to create a new account.
Fahmi said that as an American organisation, Meta does not respect the freedom of the press in using its social media platforms.
He said this will be discussed in the meeting with all social media platforms next month.
"God willing, we will hold a meeting with all social media platforms in June and in that meeting, I will raise this matter and ask for an explanation so that reporting on the official duties or activities of the prime minister is not imposed on or treated in such a way,” he added.
Previously, Meta had taken down posts from Anwar’s official social media accounts regarding the premier’s speech at the Solidarity with Palestine rally at Axiata Arena Stadium in October last year.
Azam’s reappointment
Fahmi also touched on the Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism's (C4 Center) statement on the reappointment of Azam Baki as the MACC chief commissioner.
“C4 has the right to state that opinion. At the same time, the prime minister has made several considerations in making this decision,” he said.
C4 called the one-year extension of Azam’s contract “disappointing”, and urged the government to implement reforms to decentralise and democratise executive power.
Fahmi also commented on Anwar’s suggestion for the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to consider former premier Najib Abdul Razak’s house arrest bid after the conclusion of the latter’s ongoing 1MDB trial.
He said the cabinet did not discuss it, but the issue might be broached next week once Anwar returns to Malaysia.
Yesterday, Anwar said he would not override the king's authority and that his recommendations would only be made if the ruler asked.
Anwar highlighted the importance of due process, citing the previous king's partial reduction of Najib's sentence. He also advised the king to treat Najib's application like any ordinary citizen filing an appeal to the Pardons Board. - Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.