Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar today said no person should seek to limit another person's fundamental rights to freedom of expression.
In Malaysia, Wan Junaidi said the right to freedom of expression is enshrined in the Federal Constitution.
"Freedom of expression is a universal human right and is enshrined in our Federal Constitution.
"As such, nobody, not even politicians, has the right and powers to curb this fundamental right," said Wan Junaidi in his closing speech for the World Press Freedom Day virtual forum jointly hosted by the United Nations Country Team, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ).
"Nevertheless, I believe that we need to not only ensure this right is not restricted but there should also be a responsible use of this right," said the former deputy Dewan Rakyat speaker.
He said media practitioners, particularly in Malaysia, must adapt to changes brought on by the Internet in the dissemination of information.
In urging for more verification of news sources, Wan Junaidi said he had been a victim of misleading articles based on inaccurate quotes, and he would be forced to clarify or defend himself on matters that never arise.
"Although no democracy has absolute freedom of speech, unless citizens have the right to express themselves in the political process, no government can be made accountable for its actions.
"Each country places its own limitations on freedom of expression. What matters is that those limitations are not misused by political forces to limit public scrutiny of policies and actions that have an impact on the integrity of governance," he added.
Rather than relying on powers to enforce limitations, Wan Junaidi said freedom of information and the right to access accurate information is vital as a way forward for Malaysia.
He said opening up more access to information will ensure that people can obtain accurate and current information consequently reducing the spread of fake and false information and news.
"My ministry has been working closely with CIJ to explore the possibility of a Right to Information legislation in Malaysia.
"I was informed that engagement sessions have been conducted at both federal and state levels to ensure the policy decision is well-founded and can be presented to the government for a decision soon," he said in pledging support for the enactment of the law.
Digital journalism
Earlier, CIJ executive director Wathshlah G Naidu led panellists comprising media practitioners and representatives from the Communications and Multimedia Ministry on two discussions that covered various topics under the theme "Journalism Under Digital Siege".
Among others, Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Content Forum executive director Mediha Mahmood highlighted the agency's role as a self-regulatory body that works towards strengthening the digital space.
"We are constantly looking at what is optimum for our country right here and right now, as well as to future proof the measures," Mediha said on setting local standards for content based on best practices taken from various other countries.
Similarly, media advocacy group Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm) spokesperson Radzi Razak said while the government has indicated intentions to emulate Indonesia's measures on press freedom, a key element for self-regulation remains to be an independent press council and a law that protects journalists on duty.
Earlier in his opening address, Kingdom of the Netherlands ambassador to Malaysia Aart Jacobi noted that the country's dropped World Press Freedom index rankings could be due to several existing laws, including the Official Secrets Act 1972, Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984, as well as the Sedition Act 1948. - Mkini
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