Malaysiakini found in contempt of court over user comments deemed offensive to judiciary
- A panel in the highest court ruled that Malaysiakini held full responsibility for its website, including whatever is published
- The case has been widely seen as a test of media freedom in the Southeast Asian nation
Malaysia’s highest court on Friday found news portal Malaysiakini in contempt of court over comments posted by readers deemed offensive to the judiciary, in a case widely seen as a test of media freedom in the Southeast Asian nation.
In a six to one decision on Friday, a panel in the Federal Court ruled that Malaysiakini held full responsibility for its website, including whatever is published. The panel, however, found Gan not guilty of the offence.
The court ordered the site to pay a 500,000 ringgit (US$123,680) fine by next week.
It is unlikely Malaysiakini will be able to appeal the verdict since the case was heard before the country’s highest court.
Judge Rohana Yusuf, delivering the verdict, told the Federal Court in the administrative capital Putrajaya that the case would “attract worldwide attention”, with some believing it had “threatened media independence”.