Yesterday, we wrote of three local influencers who triggered a wave of online backlash after they uploaded a video of them pretending to give a homeless man food, which turned out to be a cruel prank.
Now, the controversy has since attracted the attention of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), who have launched an investigation into the matter.
Chicken bones prank now under MCMC probe
In a statement released by MCMC on its official Facebook account today, it said it had received multiple reports regarding the now-deleted clip, prompting the agency to conduct an investigation.
It added that it takes “the production and dissemination of content that exploits vulnerable groups for entertainment purposes, viewership, and to trigger public unrest” very seriously.
“The dissemination of content that mocks or insults one’s dignity is not only unethical, but it also encourages the normalisation of an inhumane culture within society,” the statement read.
MCMC also warned the public not to spread or share provocative content that may jeopardise public peace.
The clip is currently being investigated under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (CMA 1998), which provides for a fine of up to RM500,000, or imprisonment for up to two years, or both upon conviction.
What happened so far
The controversy began when the group of influencers filmed themselves enjoying some fried chicken before giving the bones to a homeless man as “an act of kindness”.
As public anger mounted, one of the influencers stepped forward to shed more light on it, where he claimed the homeless man had agreed to be pranked. He also claimed that two pieces of fried chicken were given to the homeless man.
Our original intention was to encourage charitable acts through a video series. But I admit that the execution of the video was poor and failed to convey the full context.
“We didn’t expect it to blow up like this. That’s our fault, and we’re sorry. We just wanted to help, and everything was agreed on from the beginning,” he said, before begging the public for forgiveness.
Read about it here:
