KUALA LUMPUR – The Broadcasting Department (RTM) has been directed to investigate allegations that its Mandarin news bulletin referred to the Palestine Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) as “militants”, said Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah.
The communications and multimedia minister said the Mandarin desk editor and Mandarin chief news editor have been summoned to give an explanation while the officers involved have been given show-cause letters.
“The current affairs news section has also been asked to review the standard operating procedure (SOP) for newsroom duties, especially on editing and publishing of TV news, to ensure that a similar mistake is not repeated in the future,” he said in a statement today.
The term was said to have been used in the TV2 Mandarin news bulletin yesterday regarding Israel’s airstrikes against Palestine.
An open apology was subsequently carried in the form of a correction in Berita Tengah Hari at 1pm and Berita Mandarin at 7pm the same day.
Saifuddin said RTM is sensitive to the situation and always supports Malaysia’s and the people’s aspiration regarding the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, as well Palestinian sovereignty and freedom.
“RTM will continue with efforts to upgrade the quality of its news presentation from time to time,” he added. – Bernama, May 13, 2021
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