Readers’ comments: The Impact of the FC Judgement on the Media Freedom
In February 2021, Malaysia’s highest court found Malaysiakini guilty of contempt of court for reader comments on its website that criticised the judiciary.
This meant that Malaysiakini was found to have been disrespectful of and had undermined the administration of justice, because of third-party comments. The Federal Court’s decision was a majority decision. It fined Malaysiakini RM500,000 (~USD118,000), exceeding by RM300,000 what the prosecutors suggested.
What impact will this judgment have on internet intermediaries such as Malaysiakini who host user content on their website? And what does this mean for media freedom and freedom of expression in Malaysia as a whole?