The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) welcomes the commitment of the Minister of Communications and Multimedia, YB Gobind Singh Deo in relation to the impending establishment of the Malaysian Media Council. The Minister had reiterated the pledge in his keynote address at the UNESCO Open Talks@KL 2019 held in conjunction with International Day on Universal Access to Information on 12 September 2019.
An open, accountable, transparent and independent self-regulatory body, such as the Media Council, would be instrumental in building confidence in the media and contribute to the credibility of news media organisations by upholding international standards andin providing an avenue for the arbitration of public complaints.
Notwithstanding, CIJ would like to remind the government that upholding the duty to respect and protect the rights to media freedom and access to information does not stop with establishing the Media Council as there is an urgent need to amend the legislative framework governing the media in Malaysia. The Printing Presses and Publications Act (PPPA)1984in particular, must be repealed. This Act gives wide powers to the authorities to act, at times unilaterally, with regards to curtailing news content, including the threat to revoke newspaper licences on insubstantial grounds.
Thus, CIJ wishes to again reiterate that any moves to institute a media council are contingent upon the repeal of repressive laws that govern the media, in particular the Printing Presses and Publications Act (PPPA) 1984, the Sedition Act 1948, sections 233 and 211 of the Communications and Multimedia Act, along with review of the Official Secrets Act and the enactmentof a Freedom of Information Act.
The Pakatan Harapan manifesto promised the establishment of a Media Council and the repeal of the PPPA and other draconian colonial era laws. Removing these serious threats to free speech and media that continue to lurk within our legal systemneeds to happen without any further delays to demonstrate the Pakatan Harapan government’s commitment to the rule of law, to strengthen free speech and significantly improve both the responsiveness and responsibility of the media inupholding public interest.
Contact:
Wathshlah G. Naidu
Executive Director –Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ)
[Mobile: +6012 2851949]
Ding Jo-Ann
Adviser –Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ)
[Mobile: +6012 3868797]
