Kuala Lumpur: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is in contact with TikTok to obtain clarification on 18 local media organisations which were recently blocked, said Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil. He said that according to initial information received from TikTok, the accounts in question were blocked for reporting on a recent molest case at a mosque in Batang Kali involving a young girl.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the problem lies with TikTok's artificial intelligence (AI), which sometimes fails to distinguish between media organisations' reporting and content produced by ordinary users. Fahmi has called for a discussion with TikTok to refine the functions of media-owned accounts to prevent similar actions in the future. This statement was made during the launch of the 'AI in the Newsroom' course by the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama).

Also present at the event were Bernama's chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, editor-in-chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj, and Huawei Malaysia's chief executive officer Simon Sun. Other attendees included Economic News Service deputy editor-in-chief Azlina Aziz and Bernama Commercial head Mastura Hassan. It is understood that TikTok accounts classified as 'official' were also affected by the restrictions.

Fahmi further elaborated that the report on the molest case was a standard media report, which should not have warranted any issue. He expressed concern over TikTok's AI-content moderation, which has led to misunderstandings about uploaded content. Fahmi sees an opportunity to discuss with TikTok the possibility of granting media companies a different status, given their adherence to guidelines and code of ethics.

Meanwhile, Nur-ul Afida expressed hope that MCMC can assist in restoring the TikTok accounts of all affected agencies, emphasizing that the content reported was not sensitive. She urged for a swift resolution to the matter, as the reports were merely documenting an incident within the country.