'Unwarranted,' says Bersatu Hulu Langat on measures against Sinar Harian

SHAH ALAM – A Bersatu leader has slammed the authorities' stern action against news portal Sinar Harian for a factual error in one of its reports, stating that the portal had taken prompt steps to correct the mistake.

Bersatu Hulu Langat Division information chief, Mohamad Shafiq Abdul Halim said that Sinar Harian not only deleted the original article containing factual errors but also issued a public apology and corrected the facts in question in a timely manner.

“This action proves that the mistake occurred in the absence of malice, and Sinar Harian took full responsibility in accordance with journalistic ethics,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.

He clarified that although the incident had negative implications, those who should be held accountable were individuals who deliberately spread false information, not the portal that had already come forward with factual corrections and a public apology.

Calling for a more measured approach, Shafiq urged the government to consider a more prudent approach in dealing with first offences by any media organisation.

He suggested issuing a warning notice as a preventive measure, rather than resorting immediately to legal action.

“We do not support any form of media freedom that crosses the line into defamation or inaccurate reporting, but it must be assessed whether the error was technical and unintentional,” he said.