Media groups chide Fahmi over ‘slander’ Facebook comment

Media groups have slammed Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil for describing a news article as being accusatory in a Facebook comment on the news agency’s posting of the story.

The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) said they vehemently object to Fahmi’s act of calling out Berita Harian’s analytical report on the overnight policy rate (OPR).

“The report by Berita Harian was a forecast of the OPR, quoting financial experts which is typical news coverage by media agencies and portals nationwide.

“As the minister in charge of media, Fahmi (above) should have been aware of this common practice where the press will run stories based on the opinions and projections of industry experts.

“His actions today undermined the Berita Harian story, which was posted and linked to Facebook and commenting on the story as a lie.

“It could bring negative public perception to the media,” said NUJ secretary-general Teh Athira Yusof in a statement today.

She questioned where the press freedom as promised by the new government - if a minister could label an article on financial projection as “slander”.

In a separate statement, Geramm also said Fahmi’s comment on the Berita Harian was a form of threat against press freedom.

Geramm said such an act is clearly not in line with promises of press freedom which the new government has often talked about.

“Instead, the minister who is also the government spokesperson can issue an official statement to explain any report in any media if necessary.

“We must say that an open statement from the ministers, especially on social media, can open space for personal attacks (doxxing) towards the media or relevant reporter,” the group said.

Yesterday, Berita Harian published a Facebook post that says “OPR expected to be raised again as early as July”, accompanied by a link to an article on its website quoting several financial analysts on the matter.

Fahmi posted a comment on Berita Harian’s Facebook post, decrying it as slander.

He said the article clearly states it is the viewpoint of analysts and was not a decision by the Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) or the government.

He also said Berita Harian should correct and clarify the matter.

The post had since been replaced by a new one this morning that clarifies the assertion being made by analysts. It now reads, “OPR expected to be raised again as early as July – analysts”.

In a separate Facebook post tonight, Fahmi said he has met Berita Harian management today and they had agreed to correct the post.

“The article merely quotes the opinion of an analyst and I have no issues with the report.

“However, the Facebook post is vastly different because it gives the impression that BNM or the government has made a decision. That is untrue and unfair to the central bank and government.

“Berita Harian understands what I meant in this issue and has agreed to correct the post. I wish to thank the management for their cooperation,” he said.

The Berita Harian article quotes three analysts predicting an impending OPR hike, not just one analyst as stated by Fahmi.

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