Finas says Al Jazeera had no licence to film documentary

Updated 3 years ago · Published on 20 Jul 2020 10:57PM · 4 Comments

Al Jazeera staff seen at arriving at the federal police headquarters at Bukit Aman for questioning. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, July 20, 2020.

AL Jazeera International (M) Sdn Bhd did not have the film production licence or the filming authentication certificate (SPP) to produce the controversial documentary Locked Up in Malaysia’s Lockdown, according to the National Film Development Corporation (Finas).

In a statement issued today, Finas said this was the result of its initial investigation after the documentary went viral on social media.

As such, Finas said it would give full co-operation to the police, which are currently investigating the company under Section 22(1) of the Finas Act 1981 (Amendment 2013) for filming without a valid Finas licence.

The 25-minute documentary produced by Al Jazeera highlighted treatment of undocumented migrants during the movement control order.

Police were reported to have recorded the statements from several employees of the company involved in the production of the documentary to assist in the investigation under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948, Section 500 of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. – Bernama, July 20, 2020.

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Comments

  • Good journalism is reporting the truth not skewed stories just to spice things up so that you can sell them. Do not underate our policemen when it comes to stepping on their toes. Operating without valid license is asking for trouble just like staying here undocumented.

    Posted 3 years ago by Zainuddin Yusoff · Reply

  • So according to these fellows journalists can only report on what they are licensed to report....bull sht

    Posted 3 years ago by The Rover · Reply

  • Since when do journalists in Malaysia need a license to film?

    Posted 3 years ago by Malaysia New hope · Reply

  • Tell that to the police force. Malaysia has been generous and accomodating when come to treating refugees and immigrants. If you break the law do not expect a five star treatment from the concierge. If defending the underprivileged or mistreated people is the motive go and film grotesque atrocities on Palestinians, Uighurs or Rohingyas

    Posted 3 years ago by Zainuddin Yusoff · Reply