By Danial Dzulkifly
KUALA LUMPUR, March 12 — Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil has reaffirmed the Unity Government’s commitment to defend media freedom following criticism from the industry over the newly-launched Malaysian Code of Ethics for Journalists.
Fahmi explained that the new code of ethics was published after consulting with the Malaysian Press Institute, National Union of Journalists, Information Department (Japen), pro-tem committee of the proposed Malaysian Media Council as well as other stakeholders.
“I myself have defended journalists in the Dewan Rakyat in the past and was bashed repeatedly for it, but I have always been an MP who has defended the rights of journalists in carrying out their duties.
“As a democrat and reformist, I have never stifled their rights. Media freedom should not only be supported but enhanced,” he said during the Minister’s Question Time in Parliament today.
Fahmi was responding to a question by Tasek Gelugor MP Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan on the government’s commitment to not stifle media freedom following the publication of the new code of ethics for journalists on February 20.
This is after several media organisations expressed concerns over the validity period of media accreditation cards and that this could be lowered in a move seen as restricting press freedom.
However, Japen clarified last week that accreditation for official government media practitioners, local media, including existing news outlets, as well as Malaysian correspondents for foreign news outlets, remained at two years.
Foreign media practitioners with international media outlets and those employed on a contract basis are entitled to a one year validity period, while new online media agencies will now have their validity shortened to six months from the first application.
It said this is to ensure the outlets were genuine, active and do not engage in the publishing of disinformation.
Meanwhile, Fahmi stressed that a media accreditation card is not similar to professional accreditations, noting that its absence does not stop a journalist from covering the news.
“Again, I have to stress that the media card is only issued to journalists attached to accredited news agencies that wish to cover government events or Parliament sittings on site,” he said.
