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Astro Is Being Fined By MCMC For An Al Jazeera Documentary They Aired In 2015

Astro Is Being Fined By MCMC For An Al Jazeera Documentary They Aired In 2015

The documentary was about the murder of Altantuya.

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Astro is being fined by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) for airing an Al-Jazeera documentary in 2015 about the controversial murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu, titled “Murder In Malaysia”.

What you need to know: Malaysiakini reported that MCMC sent a notice on 7 July to Measat Broadcast Network System, which operates Astro, over the airing of the Al-Jazeera documentary on 11 September 2015.

According to the report, MCMC said its investigations had concluded that the content of the documentary was indecent and had led Astro to violate Section 211 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

Astro was fined a total of RM4,000 by MCMC for airing the episode 4 times (RM1,000 for each time the episode was aired), and the company has 30 days to appeal against the fine.

Why it matters: Al-Jazeera was also criticised by the Perikatan Nasional government after it’s documentary “Locked up in Malaysia’s Lockdown” aired on 3 July. Since then, the government has taken action on several fronts against the publication, and those involved in the documentary.

The government’s response to the documentary has been criticised by several parties as being a threat to press freedom in the country.

How it got here: The 2015 documentary about Altantuya’s death was aired as a part of Al-Jazeera’s Asia Pacific current affairs programme titled “101 East”. It linked the death of Altantuya in October 2006 to former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak. The documentary also resulted in its producer, Mary Ann Jolley, being deported from Malaysia during its production five years ago.

Read more:
Govt Slams Al Jazeera Report, Said They Weren’t Racist When Handling Immigrants During MCO (TRP)
Al Jazeera Documentary Backlash: 5 Important Things You Need To Know (TRP)
Al Jazeera Defends Documentary Filmed During Lockdown in Malaysia (TRP)
Rayhan Kabir’s Work Permit Revoked By Immigration Dept, Say Police (TRP)
Now, Syed Saddiq Called In By Cops Over Al-Jazeera Interview In March (TRP)
Al Jazeera’s License And Accreditation With Finas To Be Checked By Communications Ministry (TRP)
If Al Jazeera’s Documentary Was Illegal, So Is Any Other Malaysian Video Content, Says Lawyer (TRP)
Report: MCMC fines Astro for airing Al-Jazeera documentary on Altantuya murder five years ago (Malay Mail)


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