The fourth estate must be independent

The BBC, which is Britain’s state broadcaster, is run by royal charter, meaning that it receives state funds to operate but is governed and administered independently from the government.

This is so that the state media can remain objective and unbiased when it comes to its content strategy, specifically when it comes to its news media.

Of course, the Beeb isn’t without any criticism, but in general, policies are put in place to maintain its independence.

Several days ago, Communication Minister Fahmi Fadzil launched a revamped Malaysian Code of Ethics for Journalists. The original was launched in 1989 by the Malaysian Press Institute (MPI).

The new code was updated after an engagement session with the MPI, the National Union of Journalists, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and representatives of the sponsoring committee of the Malaysian Media Council (MMC).

Obviously, the minister and the new code came under a barrage of criticism, mainly from journalists who felt that it was a step towards more control and restriction of media freedom in the country.

Communication Minister Fahmi Fadzil

Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm), through its spokesperson Radzi Razak, called the code a form of state control when it is regulated by a government-controlled agency.

This is in response to the minister stating that the code will be used as a guideline to approve press accreditation passes to journalists.

Lawyers For Liberty director Zaid Malek said that the independent Malaysian Media Council should have been formed first in order to avoid government interference.

Veteran journalist Johan Jaafar said that the code shows the ministry’s shallow understanding of the press. Fahmi has denied the criticism, insisting that the government is not trying to curb freedom of speech.

He said that the code is part of the government’s efforts to shape a culture that is concerned with truth and also fairness to journalists. He added that the MMC will be in charge of its compliance.

I do agree that journalists and media practitioners need to adhere to a code of ethics. As a journalist myself, I have my own and also a professional set of ethics that I follow.

As a university lecturer, I also teach journalism students on ethics when it comes to the profession.

However, I hold strongly to the opinion that professional ethics should be discussed, formed and monitored by the industry itself and not the government, especially when it comes to the media and journalism.

If anything, the government should put in more effort for the media to be totally separate from the influence of the government.

If journalism is to play the role of the fourth estate, then it needs to be independent, similar to how the judiciary needs to be separate from the executive and legislative (which has been an issue for a while now).

Respect check and balance

Separation of powers means a more effective check and balance system that will ensure a better democracy.

As the fourth estate, journalism and the media have the responsibility to monitor the government, and if it is being monitored by the government, it will be difficult to do so without any problems (as in interference).

So let the industry govern and monitor adherence to professional ethics. It shouldn’t be a big problem since there are already existing laws that should also play an important role in curbing fake news or irresponsible reporting such as the Defamation Act and such.

I think it would be good if we emulate the BBC in how they have a royal charter that ensures that it is run separately and without the influence of the government.

Trust the industry to know what is best for them and the country. We are not underage children who still need mummy and daddy to supervise us. The government needs to consider us as peers who know what we are doing.

They can engage and make suggestions but don’t tell us what to do as if we don’t know how to. - Mkini

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ZAN AZLEE is a writer, documentary filmmaker, journalist and academic. Visit fatbidin.com to view his work.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.