MCMC Can Take Action Against Netflix If It Breaches Malaysia's Content Standards
"We have to block in advance, before people start to like these shows."
By Sadho Ram — 09 Jan 2016, 04:45 PM
Minister of Communications and Multimedia Salleh Said Keruak says Netflix's movies and television series that are now streamed online in Malaysia will have to comply with local regulatory body MCMC's content standards, according to a report in the Malay Mail
According to the New Straits Times (NST), Salleh told the paper that the MCMC can take action against Netflix if it makes offensive content available in Malaysia and breaches the regulator’s content standards.
He said MCMC will be asked to meet with Netflix to notify them of local content standards and their obligations. Netflix still has to meet the local regulator’s content standards even if it is exempt from getting a license as an over-the-top content application (OTT) provider like Facebook, Salleh said.
themalaymailonline.com
The Communications and Multimedia Minister said his ministry is also mulling a new provision under the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) 1998 to introduce licensing for OTT providers
“A deeming provision is being considered under a review of the law so that OTT providers (like Netflix) can be deemed as licensed if they provide services in Malaysia,” he was quoted saying by NST.
Netflix’s OTT model means content is delivered without the involvement of a network provider such as Celcom and Maxis, while a Malaysian company called iflix provides a similar service with the aid of network provider Telekom Malaysia’s IPTV (Internet Protocol television) to cater to the local market, Salleh said.
Yesterday, Malay Mail Online reported a US-based Netflix staff as confirming that there will be no censorship of television series and movies made available here, although certain content may be unavailable due to regional licensing restrictions.
themalaymailonline.com
On the other hand, Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association (PPIM) Chief Activist Nadzim Johan has called for government agencies to proactively filter Netflix's content, saying: "We have to block in advance, before people start to like these shows".
“The Netflix channel has to be given attention by the agencies involved and censorship to be carried out. If it can broadcast shows without any filters, other television stations will also be able to do the same. So, we have to block in advance, before people start to like these shows,” he was quoted telling the Malay-language daily.
themalaymailonline.com