KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian media must be vigilant not to fall prey to Zionist propaganda lest it becomes an accomplice in the suffering of the Palestinians, said the Malaysian arm of a Palestinian-led movement that promotes boycotts against Israel.
Boycott, Divestment & Sanctions (BDS) Malaysia said that the quick action taken by Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah deserved the praises and plaudits of all who wanted to see honest and accurate reporting, especially of the events now unfolding in Palestine.
“BDS Malaysia today heartily applauds the prompt action taken by the minister in the matter of the RTM Mandarin TV news segment on May 11 referring to the Islamic Resistance Movement of Palestine (Hamas) as militants or terrorists.
“We note that an apology has been issued by RTM and standard operating procedures will be reviewed to ensure that no wrongful labelling will take place in future,” it said in a statement today.
The statement also suggested that RTM describe Hamas as “freedom fighters”.
“Armed resistance against foreign aggression is, after all, permitted under international law.
“In fact, there is a whole glossary of terms used by Zionist propagandists and their ilk in the western media,” it said, adding that such hypocrisy and double standards of the Zionist-beholden western media played a significant factor in the prolonged agony of the Palestinian people.
Earlier today, Saifuddin said that the Mandarin desk editor and Mandarin chief news editor had been summoned to give an explanation, while the officers involved had been given show-cause letters. – Bernama, May 13, 2021
