Chinese-language newspaper China Press has offered an open apology over an erroneous report on the infamous 'nude ear-squats' scandal and confirmed the sacking of two top editors.

This came in the form of a front-page announcement published in the daily's evening edition today under the headlines 'Editor-in-chief, executive editor-in-chief resign'.

The newspaper said its evening edition on Nov 23 had wrongly claimed the nude woman in the ear-squat video clip scandal was a Chinese national.

"Due to this, two senior China Press editors take full responsibility for the mistake. Editor-in-chief Chong Choong Nam (right) and executive editor-in-chief Wang Zhao Ping will resign with immediate effect," read the announcement.

"China Press also tender our deepest apology for the mistake and inconvenience caused due to this report," the announcement added, but the daily did not said whether its decision was due to pressures from the government.

China Press, which was the first to report on the existence of the video clip showing a woman was being forced by a policewoman to do ear-squats in the nude, had received a show-cause letter from the powerful Internal Security Ministry - that oversees all news publications - on Dec 19.

The 'nude-squat' scandal, or sometimes referred to as Squatgate, has triggered a diplomatic tiff between Malaysia and China.

An independent commission of inquiry later found the woman was a local Malay. Fingers were then pointed at the media for the error in identifying the victim.

There were speculations that the China Press evening edition would be suspended should it fail to take action to please the authorities, such as the removal of some of its senior editorial staff.

Punishment to appease ministry

The axing of the two top editors drew criticisms from media activists.

Charter 2000-Aliran, a citizens' media initiative, said that the duo were made the "sacrificial lambs to please the mighty Internal Security Ministry".

"What is disturbing about this episode is that the state has deliberately intervened in a journalistic matter that could have been handled by the concerned newspaper's management.

"There wasn't really a need for Big Brother to use the big stick," said Charter 2000-Aliran joint coordinators Dr Mustafa K Anuar and Anil Netto in a statement to malaysiakini today.

They added that the ministry has became "more brazen and unreasonable" over the years due to, among others, the silence of many journalists who had to work under the shadow of the draconian Printing Presses and Publications Act which requires media organisations to renew its licence annually.

"If the underlying intention of the ministry's action in punishing China Press is to also warn other newspapers, then it seems that it has succeeded.

"We can expect the media to exercise more self-censorship and rein in independent-minded journalists and editors," they added in the statement.

Meanwhile, Writers' Alliance for Media Independence spokesperson Tang Ah Cai said the removal of the editors was "too harsh" as the error could have been corrected through other ways.

"The question is: what should be the appropriate punishment when error occurs in this kind of report? It's simple - it can be done through an open apology and clarification," he added.

Tang also described the removal as a "threat in disguise" for journalists.

Others kept mum

The media activist also expressed his disappointment that other local Chinese dailies have kept silent on the China Press controversy and considered this as an "unhealthy sign".

"I regret that they could not view this matter from a bigger picture and show solidarity to safeguard press freedom although China Press is their competitor," he said.

China Press, which produces both a morning and evening edition, has the second highest circulation among the five major Chinese dailies in the country.

The newspaper, along with sister daily Nanyang Siang Pau, were taken over by Chinese-based political party MCA in a controversial move four years ago.

Centre for Independent Journalism executive director Sonia Randhawa said the removal of the top editors should have been handled in a transparent manner rather than behind closed doors.

"The government should ask for an apology, and if still unhappy, sue for defamation where the action takes place in an open court, that is, in a manner which is transparent and where the newspaper can mount an adequate defence, such as that the story was in the public interest."

She added that the government should not be allowed to interfere in editorial decisions.

The organisation is planning a candlelight vigil tomorrow at 6pm outside the China Press headquarters in Bangsar to protest against political interference in the newsroom.