Media advocacy groups today urged the Parliament to stop restricting press coverage of Dewan Rakyat sittings, after only 16 media agencies were allowed to cover the upcoming session that will start next week.
In a statement, the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm), and the National Union of Journalists (NUJM) said they are disappointed with the move, describing it as detrimental to press freedom.
“Almost two years into the Covid-19 pandemic, the issue of unequal access for media coverage remains unresolved.
“Media organisations should be given the freedom to cover Parliament’s proceedings once the session resumes from Sept 13 to Oct 12,” the statement read.
The groups said any move to restrict coverage by media organisations is detrimental to press freedom, especially when the country’s top leadership are talking about institutional reforms and good governance.
“Only 16 media outlets will be allowed to attend and perform coverage for the upcoming Dewan Rakyat sitting in Parliament, according to a press statement by Dewan Rakyat Speaker Azhar Azizan Harun.
“This is similar to what happened during the last Parliament sitting in October 2020, with only minor changes to the permitted list of media,” the groups said.
In a press release yesterday, Azhar listed 16 media companies that are allowed to cover the upcoming sitting.
Besides government media agencies, others which made it to the list include Malaysiakini, TV3, Astro Awani, Berita Harian, Sinar Harian, The Star, The Sun, Sin Chew Daily, Nanyang Siang Pau, Malaysia Nanban, AFP, and MalaysiaNow.
CIJ, Geramm, and NUJM also called on Azhar to explain how the media agencies were selected to cover the physical proceedings.
The groups said if there is a need to limit the number of journalists at Parliament, the matter should have been discussed and decided on by the news organisations themselves.
“We demand the restrictions be immediately lifted to protect the rights of the media and create an enabling and safe environment for the media to fulfil their role without discriminatory restrictions and interference.”
Source: Malaysia Kini
