In response to recent criticism from the government, Al Jazeera Media Network has released a strongly worded statement rejecting allegations made by Malaysian authorities over its investigative documentary on the arrest of undocumented migrants during the coronavirus pandemic.
“Charging journalists for doing their jobs is not the action of a democracy that values free speech. Journalism is not a crime.” said the Qatar-based broadcaster.
The documentary which aired on July 3 has a view count of 1.6 million and a like to dislike ratio of 6.1k to 320k on Youtube. The comment section had been turned off by Al Jazeera.
Malaysian officials have rebutted the documentary, claiming it to be inaccurate, misleading and unfair.
“We give equal treatment to legal and illegal foreigners. What we did was based on the law,” Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob told reporters on Monday, July 10.
“I challenge Al Jazeera to show me which country gives complete freedom to illegal immigrants,” the minister continued.
The filmmakers had reportedly sought senior government officials’ comments, but requests for interviews were rejected, according to the network. Still, Al Jazeera maintains it “produced a balanced film by including comments made by the Defence Minister at two conferences”.
The Malaysian police have also announced an investigation of Al Jazeera staff over potential sedition, defamation and violation of the country’s Communications and Multimedia Act.
Six staff members have been summoned to the Bukit Aman police station this morning to give their statements in regards to the documentary.
Not only that, Al Jazeera staff face other problems. Al Jazeera said it has “grave concerns” about its staff in Malaysia who have faced abuse online, including death threats and a disclosure of their personal details on social media platforms.
Online users dubbing themselves the “bawang army” or onion army have been coming to the government’s defense, done through stirring hate and vitriol across platforms. The government actions also indicate to a state sanctioned approval of this malicious behavior. The Immigration Department’s release of confidential personal information of the lead Bangladeshi man in the video-documentary is distressing to say the least.
The Qatari network ended its statement by calling upon “the Malaysian authorities to desist from initiating any criminal investigation into its professional, impartial journalism.”
It added, “Al Jazeera English is prepared to host a representative of the Malaysian government to respond to the matters raised in the documentary.” as a last rebuke.
