PROBE the allegations made by medical news portal CodeBlue instead of the whistleblower or their sources, said Centre of Independent Journalism (CIJ).
“We believe the intimidation tactics by the Government against CodeBlue and its editor-in-chief, Boo Su-Lyn, are indicative of actions aimed at silencing the media and curtailing the raising of critical questions of public interests.
“We strongly disagree with such actions and call on the State to drop their investigations into CodeBlue and Boo at once. Investigate the allegations – not the whistleblower or their sources!” its executive director Watshlah Naidu told FocusM.
Yesterday, the police question Boo at the Shah Alam district police headquarters (IPD) over a report on COVID-19 outbreak at a COVID-19 vaccination centre (PPV) at Setia City Convention Centre in Shah Alam.
The report, quoting sources at the vaccination centre, alleged that the authorities failed to act promptly after COVID-19 cases were detected there.
CodeBlue said in a statement that Boo was being investigated under Section 505 of the Penal Code relating to statements conducing to public mischief, which carries a punishment of up to two years imprisonment, a fine or both, upon conviction.
She is also being investigated under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act which relates to the improper use of network facilities or services. Boo cooperated with the police but refused to divulge details on her source.
It was understood the police report was lodged by the management of the vaccination centre.
Regressive and repressive laws used
Watshlah reminded the Government that the right to information (RTI) reflects the fundamental principle that all information held by the State is of public interest.
She also said that access to information can only be restricted for legitimate reasons, such as those involving State security or privacy.
“Let the Government carry out a harm test to determine legitimacy, necessity and proportionality before attacking and restricting access to public information.
“This is crucial now more than ever with the pandemic, where it is pertinent to scrutinise vaccination effort by the Government and its mitigation process.
“Our right to access crucial public information must be a given and should not be arbitrarily restricted, “ Watshlah stressed.
Instead of using such tactics, the non-governmental organisation (NGO) leader said that the Government should have organised a press conference to provide explanation on CodeBlue’s expose.
“Further, various repressive and archaic laws are also continuing to be used against the media and journalists. These laws include Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia (CMA) Act 1998, the Sedition Act 1948, Section 504 of the Penal Code, Section 505 of the Penal Code and the Official Secrets Act.
“The State must stop using these laws as a tool to silence those speaking out in the public’s interest,” Watshlah remarked. – July 27, 2021.
