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The Centre for Independent Journalism is a non-profit organisation promoting media independence and freedom of expression in Malaysia.
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The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) is alarmed by and calls into question the need for the controversial Special Affairs Department (JASA) propaganda unit to be revived and its RM85.5 million allocation under Budget 2021. According to the Communications and Multimedia Ministry (KKMM), the increase in federal funds is aimed at hiring more staff members and developing digital infrastructure throughout the country to strategically ensure an effective flow of information and to counter disinformation related to COVID-19 mitigation.
In the interests of accountability and transparency, we call on KKMM to provide a clear and credible rationale that would identify the scope of strategic responses and justify the need for such an inflated budget that comes at the expense of the public’s current medical and socio-economic needs and priorities. A mere statement from KKMM stating that the government aims to develop specific activities and hire the necessary staff to support supposed activities does not address the public’s interest in demanding an academic and expert rationale.
It is noted that the need to address disinformation and support effective disclosure of information in response to COVID-19 updates and related measures is indeed legitimate and warrants urgent attention. These measures to counter misinformation and disinformation in the context of COVID-19 would require timely access to trusted scientific and verifiable sources of information. However, any attempts by the government to counter misinformation or disinformation cannot undermine democratic guarantees and fundamental freedoms or come at the expense of funds that should instead be channelled for more productive means of battling COVID-19.
Furthermore, having any government or its apparatus being the single or preferred source of information or promoting specific narratives is not desirable as it would dominate and adopt any current regime’s propaganda and likely push the public to search for alternative sources on platforms that do not effectively filter hate speeches or targeted contentious information.
In this regard, rather than depending on an inflated budget, we urge the government to:
We urge the government to place the best interests of the peoples at the heart of Budget 2021 and not let its political agenda undermine the priorities.
10 November 2020
Ms. Wathshlah G. Naidu
CIJ Executive Director
For media inquiries, contact Mr. Vinodh Pillai at media_comms@cijmalaysia.net
The Centre for Independent Journalism is a non-profit organisation promoting media independence and freedom of expression in Malaysia.