Why no action against irresponsible reporting?

Why no action against irresponsible reporting?
May 12, 2011-->May 12, 2011
FMT LETTER
Wong Chee Fui

Utusan Malaysia’s report of a presumed plot of Christianity usurping the place of Islam in the constitution has stirred volatile and ugly emotions. The report that appeared on its front page on May 7 is provocative and is likely to spark racial tensions.

As a mainstream national paper, it is highly irresponsible for Utusan to publish the article without fact-checking the source of the news.

The article does not offer any evidence of facts except for references to postings by bloggers, which does not appear to have been independently verified.

Quoting from a blog is a dangerous, if permitted, any rumour can be posted in any blog by anyone and subsequently used as a reference source for publication in mainstream media.

The fact that Utusan published an unverified article has been is ignored by the auhorities despite numerous police reports against it.

Instead of questioning Utusan over the article, the immediate response from the home minister was to order investigation.

The police were quick to launch an investigation based on a newspaper report without first investigating the authenticity of the report.

They seem to favour the irresponsible party whose unverified report have caused fear and instigated hatred.

The government hasn’t moved to take action against the paper, even when it has repeatedly published articles in the past that can destabilise the racial harmony in this country.

Utusan continues to act with impurity and enjoy a status that is perceived to be above the law. The government must swiftly reign in the paper.