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End arbitrary action against news organisations – Institute of Journalists Malaysia
The Institute of Journalists Malaysia (IoJ) is deeply concerned about the sudden block in access to news portal The Malaysian Insider by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) on Thursday evening (February 25).
While the institute does not condone any violation of the law, it notes that there was no clear reason given by the authorities in imposing the block on several local networks.
MCMC cited Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 – which deals with content that is "obscene, indecent, false, menacing or offensive in character with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass another person".
The authority, however, did not indicate which article/s that is/are deemed to have fit the description and the subject of public complaints.
IoJ also notes that no notice was sent to The Malaysian Insider on MCMC's claims that the news portal had flouted any laws, according to The Malaysian Insider's editor and chief executive Jahabar Sadiq.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar has since tweeted to instruct the police to haul up the chief editor of The Malaysian Insider for questioning over what he described as a "confusing" report on a Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) oversight panel.
This again appears to be a knee-jerk reaction to news articles that may or may not be critical of the ruling administration.
Such unilateral action could also be construed as an attempt to intimidate the media against running critical news reports.
IoJ reiterates its position that any party, be it a government agency or private entity, should exercise its right of reply and explain its side of the story on any issue in order to meet its obligations to the public interest.
The institute maintains that the press can only function in the public interest if it has the independence to report without fear or favour. – February 26, 2016.
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.
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