Teo: Info Dept, Media Council can have different codes of ethics for journos

 

Amid pushback over potential overlapping with the planned Media Council, Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching clarified that the code of ethics released by the Information Department yesterday was meant for press pass holders.

She said the department and the council can have their codes and operate independently.

Responding to queries from Malaysiakini today, Teo said the code of ethics launched yesterday was not a new document, but an updated version, which applies to its media pass holders.

“The department has always had its own code of ethics since 1989. It is not a new document.

“The Media Council will have its own code for its members. The department’s code of ethics is for holders of the accreditation cards.”

However, when asked further how the two sets of codes would be implemented if overlapped, Teo left the question to be answered by minister Fahmi Fadzil.

The code launched by Fahmi yesterday contains eight main ethics, and will also be used as a reference for media accreditation card management.

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 council.

This is the first time the ethics manual, launched in 1989 by the Malaysian Press Institute, has been reviewed.

Fahmi said compliance with the code will be supervised by the council, which will be established later.

He also confirmed that the department is authorised to revoke media accreditation cards as it is also the agency that issues them.