The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) has urged the government to stop harassing the media in its bid to compel the disclosure of sources.
It said protection of sources is an internationally recognised principle, and invoking “archaic and repressive local laws” to force the media to reveal sources is likely to prevent whistleblowing and lead journalists to self-censor.
It is also likely to be seen as a form of harassment and intimidation against the media.
“We remind the Madani government and (Communications Minister) Fahmi Fadzil of their prior commitment to a free and open media especially in amending the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and repealing the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984.
“Use of these laws to harass and intimidate these journalists clearly goes directly against an internationally recognised principle,” it said in a series of posts on X today.
The media watchdog was responding to a police investigation launched against a Malaysiakini report about a planned reshuffle of the police’s top leadership, and Fahmi’s remarks that the media should cooperate with the police investigations.
Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain has called the Malaysiakini report “untrue” because the federal police headquarters has not issued an official statement about the supposed transfers.
“The Royal Malaysia Police emphasises that the police did not issue any official statement about the issue mentioned.
“The police have contacted the relevant portal, but they refused to divulge the identity of the source mentioned in their news report.
“The police urge all quarters not to quote unofficial sources particularly when involving the security forces and government agencies,” he said yesterday.
The police are investigating the news portal under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communication and Multimedia Act 1998.
Media council needed
The CIJ said the case underscores the need for a media council.
“It’s why Malaysia needs an independent, multistakeholder Media Council to effectively resolve disputes by removing concentration of power from the government as (the) sole arbiter,” it said.
It also urged members of the public to read the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco)’s 2017 report titled “Protecting Journalism Sources in the Digital Age”.
“By educating ourselves, we can hope to achieve a free and open media that looks to meet the public’s interest,” it said. - Mkini
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