The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has issued a RM250,000 fine to local broadcasting network Awesome TV, according to a report by The Vibes. It is said that Awesome TV has been fined for committing various offences, including operating without a valid licence.
The government body previously announced in February this year that it will launch an investigation on the privately owned channel under Section 206 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (AKM 1998) for failure to comply with the conditions of its licence. In regards to the latter, The Vibes wrote that the channel’s operator, Awesome Media Network Sdn Bhd, have been discovered utilising a licence that was originally issued to Awesome Broadcasting Sdn Bhd – a completely different entity.
Kenyataan Media:
CADANGAN KURANGKAN BILANGAN PENJAWAT AWAM: MCMC AKAN BUKA KERTAS SIASATAN TERHADAP AWESOME TV pic.twitter.com/zHrIcUzO0F
— MCMC (@MCMC_RASMI) February 21, 2023
A source familiar with the matter told the publication that the violation committed is sufficient for Awesome TV to be shut down, but the government body decided to compound it instead. Apart from this, The Vibes did not detail further regarding the alleged action towards the broadcasting network, while MCMC itself has yet to issue an official statement regarding the matter.
Nevertheless, Awesome TV has placed itself under the crosshairs of the authorities several times as of late. Most notably in February, where its Berita 7:57 news programme had falsely claimed that the government was planning to lay off 800,000 civil servants, which then resulted in MCMC to launch an investigation against the channel.
“When the investigation papers are completed, it will be submitted to the deputy public prosecutor for further action,” the commission wrote in a statement. “If convicted, the offender can be punished as provisioned under Section 242 which is a fine not exceeding RM 100,000 or imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years or both.”
Additionally, Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil previously said that Awesome TV was found to have published news content that violated regulations six times, including slander against the current government. The channel’s Berita 7:57 programme also caused a stir last year, where it reportedly used a racial tone urging Malay voters to vote in full force during the 15th general election (GE15) to prevent political power from falling into non-Malay hands.
(Source: The Vibes [1] [2] / New Straits Times)
