Pushback, confusion over govt's media ethics code

It’s a rough start for the media ethics code that was just launched by the government today.

There has been pushback within the industry against the government’s role in crafting and implementing the code, and questions over potential overlap with the planned Malaysian Media Council (MMM).

This is despite the Information Department having listed the MMM as one of the bodies that “supported and cooperated” in formulating the ethics code, which seeks to ensure professional and responsible journalism practices.

MMM pro tem chairperson Premesh Chandran clarified on Twitter that the committee had given feedback on the ethics code.

“Nevertheless, any endorsement can only be (given) by the media council once properly formed,” he said on X today.

The bill to form the council is still a draft and is only expected to be tabled in June.

The MMM would be tasked with self-regulating the media industry.

Once formed, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said that the MMM would also be tasked with overseeing compliance of the ethics code launched today.

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil

However, Premesh - who is also a Malaysiakini co-founder - said the council would also have the authority to issue its own code of conduct.

“The current draft Media Council bill empowers the council to draft its own code of conduct and enforce it accordingly.”

It is unclear how this overlap - if any - would be resolved.

Signs of dissatisfaction

Meanwhile, in a separate statement, Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm) - which is a member of the MMM pro tem committee - indicated disgruntlement in the committee over the ethics code launch today.

“There are also several discussions among the pro tem committee that questioned whether it (ethics code) was endorsed by us, as claimed by some quarters.

“There is also a lack of explanation on how the appeal mechanism - should one fail to apply for the media pass - work as queries regarding the matter from the pro tem committee were not fully explained by the Information Department,” it said.

The ethics code states that compliance with the media code is a requirement for the Information Department to issue press passes to journalists, with non-compliance being grounds for the credentials being revoked.

The press pass is needed to attend official government events and offices, including Parliament.

Geramm in its statement said it agreed that there should be a code of ethics for Malaysian journalists.

“(But) a journalism code of ethics, especially when it determines who receives media credentials and thus access, should not be dictated by the government. 

“In our view, this represents a form of state control. The code should be developed and overseen by the media practitioners themselves. 

“This ensures that media freedom is guaranteed and the media industries can operate without unwanted political interference. This ensures that journalism remains free, responsible, and fully serves the public without any interference from authorities,” it said.

The code of ethics launched today outlines eight core responsibilities for the media.

These include being the voice of the plural society; being transparent and with integrity; fairness in conveying information, validity and accuracy of information; independence from personal interests; and protecting the privacy and confidentiality of sources.

Not meant to curb press freedom

Those who have endorsed the ethics code include the Malaysian Press Institute (MPI), the National Press Club (NPC), RTM, and Bernama.

All four were listed as endorsers and collaborators in the formation of the code.

NPC president Ahirudin Attan - better known as Rocky Bru - said the code was not meant to curb media freedom.

“We have now moved into the digital world and everything can be accessed online so basically journalism too, has evolved, so we need this new version of code of ethics.

“Having said that, the code is not meant to complicate things or curb media freedom but to differentiate us with citizen journalists or what I called the quasi journalists,” he was quoted as saying by Bernama. - Mkini