RTM’S new channel to fight fake news must not end up delivering government propaganda, said the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ).
The media advocacy group, in a statement today responding to the channel’s launch, said it should instead ensure fact-based and ethical reporting, along with the timely dissemination of information to the public.
“We have seen a global practice within controlled regimes, where the government is seen to use state media to censor content that it deems unfavourable or critical of it, leading to the high regulation of any programming.
“Thus, we are concerned about the prospect of Saluran Berita RTM being used to channel state propaganda, especially given the minister’s remarks that the channel will ‘eventually help the public determine what is true and what is false’.
“We fear that such initiatives will likely result in tactical attempts to crack down on legitimate speech and crush dissent or differences of opinion, disproportionately restricting various forms of expression.”
The 24-hour channel was launched by Communications and Multimedia Minister Saifuddin Abdullah yesterday. It will air on MYFreeview channel 123, with its line-up, including news slots, talk shows and weekly magazine programmes, to be carried in the country’s major languages.
CIJ said the government should ensure taxpayers’ funds are not abused by ensuring the channel does not become a “proxy of the state for propaganda that promotes the ruling regime in a favourable light (while) vilifying any opposing or dissenting positions”.
Saluran Berita must not be used as “the sole arbiter of truth”, and should meet global content-code standards, added the group. – June 26, 2020.
Source: The Malaysian Insight