Statements condemning the government's move to charge the media company for online video content that is allegedly offensive, poured in after Malaysiakini's editor-in-chief Steven Gan was charged in court today.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has labeled Gan's charging under Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, in the new cyber court today, an act worthy of a "dictatorial" regime.

"These charges against Malaysiakini are a serious violation of the freedom of press and show the increasingly dictatorial side of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and his government.

"By using rights-abusing laws, ludicrous arguments, and special cyber courts, Malaysia appears to be aiming at shutting down the vibrant and diverse online news environment that has grown up because of the government's control and censorship of the mainline print and TV media," said HRW deputy Asia director Phil Robertson in a statement.