Has AI Censorship Gone Too Far in Controlling the News?
TikTok has reportedly blocked the accounts of 18 Malaysian media organisations—including the national news agency Bernama and TV3’s Buletin—over their media coverage of a sexual assault case at a mosque in Batang Kali, Selangor.
The move, which has sparked outrage among journalists, media watchdogs, and digital strategists, underscores a growing concern: Has AI become too powerful in deciding what news reaches the public?
According to Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, TikTok’s artificial intelligence (AI) moderation system wrongly flagged and blocked the media accounts, failing to distinguish responsible journalism from harmful content.
“AI can sometimes go too far and not understand that media reporting is different from user-generated content,” Fahmi explained.
This highlights a crucial issue which is the lack of nuance in AI moderation.
While social media platforms rely on AI to combat misinformation, hate speech, and harmful content, these algorithms often operate on rigid parameters, lacking human context and editorial discretion.
This is not the first time AI-driven moderation has come under scrutiny.
From Facebook’s overzealous bans on political content to YouTube demonetising news reports on sensitive topics, AI censorship has increasingly sparked debates on press freedom and the unchecked power of tech platforms.
A Crisis for Media and Marketing Professionals?
For journalists, digital publishers, and marketing professionals, this incident raises red flags about the future of content distribution on social media:
Who controls the news? If AI can indiscriminately block legitimate news reports, does these mean journalists must now self-censor to avoid getting deplatformed?
Are media companies at the mercy of algorithms? Should traditional news outlets have a special “verified media status” to prevent them from being lumped together with regular content creators?
What happens when brands get caught in the crossfire? Today it’s news organisations, but tomorrow could businesses and advertisers face similar AI-triggered bans for controversial yet newsworthy content?
TikTok, which has surged in popularity as a news source—especially among younger audiences—now holds significant influence over how information is disseminated.
But with opaque content moderation policies and overreliance on AI, the platform’s power to shape narratives is raising serious ethical questions.
Fahmi Fadzil has urged urgent discussions with TikTok, suggesting that media organisations should be granted a different level of content classification to avoid future issues.
But will TikTok listen? And if so, will other tech giants follow suit?
As AI takes on a larger role in content moderation, misinformation detection, and censorship, the need for human oversight and transparent policies has never been greater.
This case is more than just a dispute between TikTok and Malaysian media—it’s a global wake-up call for all industries relying on digital platforms.
Will AI protect journalism or silence it?
Is this the beginning of a new era where algorithms—not governments or editors—determine what is newsworthy?
One thing is clear: media, marketers, and businesses must now traverse a world where AI, not human judgment, is the ultimate gatekeeper.
