RTM issues apology over gaffe
Published on: Saturday, June 18, 2016
Kota Kinabalu: Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) has issued an apology over the error in its news broadcast which gave the impression that Abu Sayyaf militants are Catholics. The government owned broadcaster in referring to its Tuesday news edition, made an apology over the "misinterpreted text" adding that RTM had no intention of hurting the feelings of any party in its news slot. A similar report was broadcast Wednesday this time with the error corrected. ADVERTISEMENT In the first report, the news anchor did not read the text clearly when describing the Abu Sayyaf group, and gave the impression that the group are Catholics. The broadcaster received harsh comments from netizens over social media, accusing the station of twisting the facts. Meanwhile, Pertubuhan Angkatan Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (Agaras) President Michael Frederick and his team also met Sabah RTM Director Ali Nasiu here to discuss a video of the news edition which went viral over social media on Wednesday. ADVERTISEMENT "We are satisfied with the explanation given and were informed that the editor for the broadcast has admitted to the error," he said in a statement, Thursday. Agaras had on Wednesday, lodged a police report after 31-second video when viral over social media the same day.
ADVERTISEMENT
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
"We view harmony among the multiracial community in Malaysia seriously and harmony must be continued by forgiving each other, especially in this fasting month," he said. He said prior to that, they had gone to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission office here to get confirmation on the video which was circulated over Facebook and WhatsApp.