MALAYSIA needs to enact laws to protect media rights to information and safety so as to ensure the fourth estate could perform their duties without fear and favour.
“Though Malaysian media personnel, in general, don’t really need to fear for their safety, the overall sense of impunity and invincibility among the powers that be continue to suppress media freedom especially when it comes to getting access to sources and information.
“It’s disappointing the Government has yet to enact laws to protect the media’s so that we can carry out our duty without restrictions and punish those who are found guilty of obstructing the press from carrying their tasks,” said Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm), in conjunction with the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists’ today.
Citing United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) statistics, 62 reporters have been killed while on duty recently, with a majority of suspects evading punishments due to various reasons.
“Geramm’s unofficial survey also found multiple murder and attacks against journalists in our neighbouring countries such as Indonesia and the Philippines.
“Both nations have a long history of fighting for media freedom,” it noted.
On related matter, Geramm spokesperson Radzi Razak said that the Government should enact a comprehensive Freedom of Information Law (FOI) to allow media and the public gain access to vital information pertaining to the administration of the country.
“Only several states have enacted FOI laws but it does not offer comprehensive protection to the press.
“What we need is a comprehensive FOI law enacted by the Parliament. The law should not only provide protection to journalists but also our sources,” he told FocusM.
FOI laws protect the press, citizens
Radzi added that for now, there was only a court judgment dating back to 2013, where a judge had said that journalists need not reveal their source to protect media integrity.
He was referring to the High Court ruling made on July 31, 2013, where Justice Lau Bee Lan dismissed an application by Bintulu MP Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing on the issue of whether a journalist had to reveal his sources in a defamation case.
Lau also ordered Tiong to pay RM15,000 in costs to reporter Joseph Sipalan and another RM5,000 to former MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat.
Radzi remarked: “Having a solid FOI law is not only about protecting media’s right to do its work professionally but also allow the public freedom to get information pertaining to how the Government is handling its day to day affairs.”- Nov 2, 2021.
