[2021] 2 MLRA
Peguam Negara Malaysia
v. MKINI Dotcom Sdn Bhd & Anor
463
vi. Delfi has a substantial degree of control over readers’ comments
and it had been in the position to predict the nature of the
comments;
vii. The fact that the online media was an unprecedented platform
for the exercise of freedom of expression provided by the
internet provider was fully acknowledged however, cautioned
that alongside these benefits, dangers do arise. Defamatory and
other types of clearly unlawful speech, including hate speech
and speech inciting violence, can be disseminated like never
before, worldwide, in a matter of seconds, and sometimes remain
persistently available online;
viii. When Delfi provided for a platform that generated user comments
for economic purposes, Delfi had control over the comment
section, and cannot be shielded by art 10 § 2 of the Convention;
ix. Delfi was a large professionally managed Internet news portal that
operated on a commercial basis with wide readership and there
was a known public concern regarding the controversial nature of
the comments it attracts; and
x. It is recognised that publishing of news and comments on an
Internet portal is a journalistic activity in the nature of Internet
media.
[95] Having considered the above factors, the ECtHR then concluded that
there had accordingly been no violation of the right to freedom of expression
in art 10 in holding Delfi liable for defamation.
[96] Applying the decision in Delfi (supra) to the case before us, we see lots
of semblance that we can compare between Delfi and Malaysiakini. We are
however aware that Delfi dealt with defamation and not contempt. However,
we are here looking at the responsibility of an online news portal. The same
principles should therefore apply.
[97] Malaysiakini is also a commercial entity like Delfi. This was deposed
to by the 1st respondent in encl 57 at para 18 and as also reflected in its
Financial Statement that the revenue sources of the 1st respondent are
derived substantially from subscription fees paid by users and revenue from
advertising. Almost 70% of the 1st respondent’s revenue is from advertising
and about 30% is derived from the subscription fees by users.
[98] The 1st respondent contended that it did not derive any direct commercial
benefit from the comments section. True, no direct commercial benefit may
come from the comments section. However, it would not be wrong to assume
that having more subscribers will enhance the revenue of the 1st respondent.
So there is economic justification in fact to encourage more subscribers rather
than restricting them.