Centre for Independent Journalism condemns doxxing, urges protection for FMT journalist

KUCHING (Jan 16): The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) has urged all responsible parties to ensure the safety and privacy of a Free Malaysia Today (FMT) journalist who was targeted following a question posed during a public lecture that was perceived to have racial overtones.

CIJ executive director Wathshlah G. Naidu called on FMT to put in place adequate measures to safeguard its journalists and prevent further harm, particularly in light of ongoing threats.

She further urged Malaysians to exercise their constitutional right to freedom of expression responsibly and not to use it to harm others.

“CIJ notes with alarm the recent doxxing and harassment of an FMT journalist. At a public lecture held on Jan 12, the journalist posed a line of questioning that subsequently sparked outrage on social media, leading to targeted harassment, intimidation and doxxing,” she said in a statement.

While acknowledging that media organisations are responsible for upholding high ethical and professional reporting standards — and that FMT has addressed the matter through an internal inquiry — Wathshlah said CIJ strongly condemns actions that threaten a journalist’s safety and privacy.

“We are particularly concerned about the doxxing, where social media users have taken it upon themselves to reveal personal information about the journalist,” she said.

According to Wathshlah, many netizens have used inflammatory, racist and dehumanising language against the journalist, amounting to credible threats to the individual’s safety.

She said journalists are expected to uphold ethical reporting principles and conduct due diligence in their work, adding that questions posed by journalists should encourage critical thinking, healthy dialogue and constructive debate.

“In this respect, we continue to emphasise that no level of dissatisfaction or criticism of a journalist’s conduct warrants attacks on their safety and privacy,” she said.

“We must unequivocally condemn all forms of doxxing, harassment and threats directed at journalists.

“Accountability must be pursued through appropriate and legitimate channels such as the Malaysian Media Council, not through online mob behaviour or the weaponisation of personal data.”

Wathshlah called on the public to place trust in such institutions, which are mandated to address these issues in the public interest as multistakeholder bodies operating in line with international standards.

While freedom of expression is a fundamental right guaranteed under the Federal Constitution, she said it is not absolute and is subject to legitimate restrictions that meet the principles of legality, proportionality and necessity.

“Inciting violence, harassment and doxxing violates basic human rights and undermines safety of individuals and media workers in Malaysia.

“Article 5 of the Federal Constitution guarantees the right to life and personal liberty,” she said.

She urged the public to flag and report any attempts to doxx or weaponise hate speech against journalists carrying out their duties.

“Media freedom cannot thrive when journalists are subjected to threats to their safety and privacy,” she added.

FMT on Wednesday issued a public apology after one of its reporters posed a question during a public lecture featuring United Kingdom politician George Galloway titled ‘Gaza Exposes the Complicity of International Actors’, held on Jan 12.