This is a press release from Mr Daniel Bastard, the head of Reporters Without Borders’ (RSF) Asia-Pacific desk.
RSF decries Malaysia appeal court ruling against independent website
The high court had rightly dismissed the gold mine’s government-backed claim that it was defamed by Malaysiakini’s decision to attend a press conference organized by the inhabitants of an area near the mine to draw attention to the health dangers of using sodium cyanide to extract gold.
“It is completely unacceptable and disproportionate that journalists should be the target of judicial proceedings just for attending a press conference serving the public interest,” said Daniel Bastard, the head of RSF’s Asia-Pacific desk.
“In recent months, the Malaysia appeal court has repeatedly overturned previous court decisions in favour of media outlets. The number and nature of the appeal court’s rulings raise doubts about its impartiality. The Malaysian authorities must stop using this court with the sole aim of gagging overly curious journalists.”
The leading shareholder in the company that effectively owns the gold mine is an ally of Malaysia’s ruling coalition, Barisan Nasional. Observers suggest that Prime Minister Najib Razak’s government was behind the appeal court’s decision and that it was designed to intimidate independent media in the run-up to the parliamentary elections that are due to be held in August.
Malaysia is ranked 144th out of 180 countries in RSF’s 2017 World Press Freedom Index.
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Editor’s Note: Thank you, Reporters Without Borders (RSF), and Daniel Bastard, the head of RSF’s Asia-Pacific desk, for your support.
As we enter the final lap towards GE-14, we can expect more allegedly dirty tactics against independent writers and newspapers.
Photo credit: RSF/Malaysiakini
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