A 34-year-old broadcast journalist with TV3 today denied in the Kuala Lumpur High Court that research was done on a news report aired five years ago which claimed that Anwar Ibrahim and the late Karpal Singh had bribed the judiciary and prosecutors.

Selwam Arjunan (above), who is now TV3's Northern Regional Correspondent, also testified that he did not verify the contents of the poison pen letter that made the allegations against the PKR de facto leader and the DAP stalwart.

"There was no immediate need to seek Anwar's comments or response or to verify the truth before the airing of the report on Aug 2, 2013.

"Once these leaflets or poison pen letters were received by Anwar, they were at liberty to contact us or the media to state their response and comment accordingly.

"This particular news report was only to cover the press conference called by Mazlan Ismail (the former Permatang Pauh BN candidate).

“Given the tone, style and overall manner of the report, I did not feel the need to obtain verification or comments from Anwar," he said when replying to questions from his counsel TH Liew.

Selwam added that TV3, owned and operated by Syarikat Televisyen (M) Bhd, practiced responsible journalism from the preparation of the report up to the point of the broadcast via Buletin Utama.

Selwam was testifying at Anwar's defamation suit against Mazlan, TV3 and Malay daily Utusan Malaysia following the airing and publication of their reports on an allegation made in 6,000 copies of a poison pen letter.

Anwar claimed that the contents of the letter were revealed by Mazlan at a press conference.

Mazlan had told the press conference that he did not know why the letters were sent to him and he wanted to send copies of the letter, purportedly from a former staff at Karpal's law firm, to the lawyer and Anwar.

Cross-examined by Anwar's lawyer Sangeet Kaur Deo, Selwam agreed that at the time Mazlan had his press conference there were no police reports lodged regarding the poison pen letters.

He added that he felt there was no need to verify the allegations with the then opposition leader.

Sangeet: In this case, there is no truth to the reports but you said there is no need to verify?

Selwam: Yes.

Sangeet: Do you think this is not fair? Reporting unreliable news?

Selwam: No.

Sangeet: Is it common practice in TV3 to air the news with verification?

Selwam: Yes.

Sangeet: Did you not feel that this matter is a serious allegation which should have been investigated, and yet Mazlan did not lodge a report on this?

Selwam: I do not know.

Sangeet: In TV3's defence, it is stated and claimed there was research done into the allegation. I am saying there is no research done, do you agree?

Selwam: Yes I agree. I did not do research.

Sangeet: There is no such thing as claimed by TV3 that the public made police reports regarding this issue?

Selwam: True.

Sangeet also said that the witness did not take steps to verify such claims with the Attorney-General's Chambers or the judiciary.

Sangeet: The allegations involved the judiciary and the AG's Chambers and you did not get their comments?

Selwam: Not necessary.

Sangeet: Do you agree the allegation is very serious?

Selwam: Yes.

Sangeet: If a serious allegation is untrue it causes more harm?

Selwam: Yes.

Sangeet: At all times you could have obtained comment from Karpal or Anwar after the press conference which was in the morning?

Selwam: Yes.

The witness said he had worked with the television station for 11 years and maintained there was no malice in the report.

Selwam added that the station aired the news because it was of public interest and newsworthy.

"There was no ill will or ulterior motive in publishing the news report. It was treated like all other news reports which we prepare on a daily basis," he said, adding that for this report he got a call from Mazlan a day before the press conference and also went to his home the next day.

In re-examination earlier, Anwar told Sangeet (above) the report was based on unverified information and yet Mazlan could have verified it with him or asked for an explanation.

"There were thousands of poison pen letters and there is a need to clarify and not spread them.

“I know Mazlan and I know where his house is but the intention here for TV3 and Utusan was to spread slander," he said.

The hearing before Justice Faizah Jamaludin continues on May 2.