When BERNAMA and mainstream media carries reports when HRDs lose...?

And, naturally BERNAMA, the Malaysian National News Agency would report this, and it was done both in Bahasa Malaysia and English. If on the other hand, if Lena Hendry had managed to strike out the charge, it would not have been surprising if BERNAMA or even the other mainstream media in Malaysia would have reported.

The report also does not really lay out the reasons why the application to strike out was made - but matters that support the government's move of charging Lena Hendry under this draconian Act was mentioned. Biased? 

Bernama of course did not see fit to report on the Joint Statement issued by 116 groups on 2/10/2013, DROP THE CHARGES AGAINST MALAYSIAN HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER LENA HENDRY NO TO PRE-CENSORSHIP OR PRIOR APPROVAL FOR USAGE OF FILM/VIDEOS 

or the numerous other statements by various groups...but whenever the human rights defender 'loses' in court, one should expect coverage BERNAMA and some other mainstream media - that is common for Malaysia, where HRDs, civil society, trade unions and the people have little or no space in main stream media

International Commission of Jurists(ICJ) -“Subjecting Lena Hendry to criminal prosecution simply for screening a documentary violates her rights and contravenes Malaysia’s obligations to uphold freedom of expression,”

‘Drop charges against Pusat Komas’ Lena’, says HRW (FMT News)

Amnesty International :- Stop persecution of activist Lena Hendry

ARTICLE 19, ALIRAN, PROHAM, NUBE,WH4C & 111 Others say Drop Charges against Lena Hendry

Malaysia

Lena Hendry fails to strike out charge over film on Sri Lanka atrocities – Bernama

April 11, 2014

A Community Communication Centre programme coordinator failed to set aside a charge alleging that she had screened a documentary that had not been approved by the Film Censorship Board.

Lena Rasathi Hendry was charged in the Magistrate's Court last September 19 for screening an uncensored film, No Fire Zone: The Killing Fields of Sri Lanka at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Chamber of Commmerce Hall at Jalan Maharajalela in Kuala Lumpur at 9pm on July 3, 2013.

The charge under Section 6(1)(b) of the Film Censorship Act 2002 carries a jail term of up to three years or a fine of up to RM30,000 or both, upon conviction.

She subsequently filed a motion to the High Court to strike out the charge on grounds that it violated Article 10 and Article 8 of the Federal Constitution.

On November 25, she was granted a stay of her case, pending outcome of the application.

High Court Judge Kamardin Hashim in dismissing Lena's application today, said the imposition of restrictions by the Film Censorship Board was not ultra vires under Clause 10(2)(a) of the Federal Constitution and was emphasised in Clause (4(1) of the same Constitution.

"The onus is on the applicant to show how her rights had been violated or how she was discriminated against under Article 8 of the Federal Constitution. Her reluctance to do so will only end in a full stop for her application.

"The issue is, how are we going to monitor the contents of a film if it is not first screened by an independent body like the Board. Hence the practicality of Section 6(1)(b) of the Film Censorship Act 2002," said the judge.

Kamardin also ordered the case to proceed in the Magistrate's Court.

Meanwhile, counsel Edmund Bon said he would appeal to the Appeal Court against the decision.

Deputy public prosecutor Jean Sharmila Jesudason appeared for the prosecution. – Bernama, April 11, 2014. - from Malaysian Insider, 11/4/2014, Lena Hendry fails to strike out charge over film on Sri Lanka atrocities – Bernama

Koordinator Program Gagal Ketepi Tuduhan Tayang Filem Belum Diluluskan

KUALA LUMPUR, 11 April (Bernama) -- Koordinator program di Pusat Komunikasi Masyarakat (Kosmas) Lena Rasathi Hendry Jumaat gagal mengetepikan tuduhan terhadapnya berhubung penayangan filem yang belum diluluskan Lembaga Penapisan Filem (LPF).

Ketika menolak permohonan Lena, Hakim Mahkamah Tinggi Kamardin Hashim berkata pertuduhan yang dibuat mengikut Seksyen 6 (1)(b) dan Seksyen 6 (2)(a) Akta Penapisan Filem 2002 adalah pembatasan terhadap hak istimewa untuk bersuara dan berkadaran dengan tujuan dan matlamat yang ingin dicapai oleh Akta Penapisan Filem.

Kamardin berkata pembatasan itu tidak bercanggah atau 'ultra vires' mengikut Fasal 10 (2)(a) Perlembagaan Persekutuan, oleh itu menurutnya peruntukan-peruntukan tersebut tidak wajar dibatalkan menurut Fasal (4)(1) Perlembagaan Persekutuan.

"Tanggungjawab pemohon untuk menunjukkan bagaimana haknya telah dicabuli oleh Seksyen 6 (1)(b) dan Seksyen 6 (2)(a) Akta Penapisan Filem 2002, menunjukkan haknya telah didiskriminasikan di bawah Artikel 8 Perlembagaan Persekutuan, keengganan pemohon untuk membuat demikian akan menemui titik noktah dalam permohonannya.

"Persoalannya bagaimanakah kita mengetahui cerita sebenar dalam sesebuah filem sekiranya filem itu tidak ditayang oleh badan bebas seperti LPF. Oleh itu prosedur yang diperuntukkan di bawah Seksyen 6 (1) (b) Akta Penapisan Filem 2002 adalah munasabah," kata hakim itu.

Kamardin turut memerintahkan kes itu diteruskan dengan perbicaraan di Mahkamah Majistret sehingga selesai.

Peguam Edmund Bon yang mewakili Lena memaklumkan pihaknya akan memfailkan rayuan berhubung keputusan itu di Mahkamah Rayuan dalam masa terdekat.

Lena memfailkan permohonan untuk mengetepikan tuduhan itu pada 25 Nov tahun lepas.

Pada 19 Sept tahun lepas, wanita itu dihadapkan ke Mahkamah Majistret atas tuduhan menayang dokumentari bertajuk 'No Fire Zone: The Killing Fields of Sri Lanka' tanpa mendapat kelulusan LPF.

Dia didakwa melakukan kesalahan itu di Dewan Perhimpunan Cina Kuala Lumpur Selangor di Jalan Maharajalela di sini pada 9 malam, 3 Julai 2013.

Tuduhan mengikut Seksyen 6(1)(b) Akta Penapisan Filem 2002 itu membawa hukuman penjara hingga tiga tahun atau didenda sehingga RM30,000 atau kedua-duanya jika sabit kesalahan.

Pendakwaan dikendalikan Timbalan Pendakwa Raya Jean Sharmila Jesudason.-- BERNAMA