Court rules Australian blogger liable for defamation against MCMC
The Shah Alam High Court’s decision holding Murray Victor Hunter liable for defamation in a case filed by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) reinforces that free speech must be exercised responsibly and within legal limits. MCMC stated that the ruling sets a clear legal precedent, emphasizing that the right to express opinions does not give individuals the freedom to spread false, malicious, or defamatory statements.
MCMC filed the lawsuit to protect its reputation and ensure accountability, integrity, and responsible communication in the digital space. Hunter, an Australian blogger based in Thailand, published defamatory content between April and November 2024, which misled the public and harmed MCMC’s reputation. Despite the case being filed in Malaysia, Hunter was arrested in Bangkok last month after ignoring summonses from Thai authorities.
