This archive report was first published on 10 July 2020.
Malaysia's government has been accused of cracking down on media freedom since a coalition led by a scandal-plagued party took power in March 2020.
On July 3, 2020, Al Jazeera broadcast a documentary titled "Locked Up in Malaysia's Lockdown", which examined the detention of hundreds of migrants found without valid documents in areas under strict coronavirus lockdowns.
However, the government responded by denouncing the documentary as misleading and inaccurate, and police are now investigating the broadcaster for alleged sedition and defamation.
On July 10, 2020, several Australian journalists involved in making the show for "101 East" were summoned for questioning at the national police headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.
Lawyer Hisyam Teh Poh Teik told reporters that the journalists "refute all the charges" and that there was "no intent by Al Jazeera to create any mischief".
Al Jazeera has stood by the "professionalism, quality and impartiality of its journalism" and expressed concern that its staff are now subject to a police investigation.
"Charging journalists for doing their jobs is not the action of a democracy that values free speech. Journalism is not a crime," the network said.
