'Malaysia witnessing slow murder of media freedom under Fahmi'

The nation is witnessing a “slow murder” of media freedom-related reforms under the leadership of Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, said Perikatan Nasional leader Wan Saiful Wan Jan.

He added that the “slow murder” conducted by Fahmi was not unlike the latter’s predecessors.

The Tasek Gelugor MP said this over Fahmi’s assertion that the press accreditation card is not a licence to practise journalism.

“This is as if he’s trying to deny the existence of polemics regarding this matter. His careless attitude is insulting to media practitioners in our country.

“Fahmi does not need to act as the ‘most knowledgeable journalist’ by trying to educate media practitioners about their roles.

“Instead, Fahmi needs to engage with journalists and media practitioners more frequently in the field, so that he realises that more and more people are unhappy with the government's tendency to restrict media freedom,” Wan Saiful said in a statement today.

Further, he questioned what guarantee the government has given that it would not practise favouritism when awarding journalists media cards.

Wan Saiful added that Fahmi should prioritise easing the burdens of media practitioners.

“I don't see what Fahmi has done to make it easier for journalists to carry out their responsibilities. More clearly, many of Fahmi's actions are limiting media freedom,” he said.

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil

Fahmi’s justification over media cards, made yesterday, was over the Information Department’s move to issue media cards with shorter validity to journalists from various online news agencies.

Fahmi stressed that the validity issue does not restrict nor prevent a journalist from doing their jobs.

"You don't need a media accreditation card to work or function as a journalist. This is not like being called to the Bar," the minister said.

It is worth noting that a media card is required to access Parliament and government buildings for official purposes, including the Prime Minister’s Office.

Backlash

Malaysiakini recently reported that the Information Department sparked concerns by issuing media accreditation cards with substantially reduced validity to numerous journalists from online media organisations.

While some received cards valid for only six months, others, including several from Malaysiakini, were granted one-year validity periods, significantly shorter than the standard two-year term typically accorded to local media outlets.

Local and regional press freedom advocates took the government to task over the move, saying it goes against the government’s pledge to uphold press freedom.

Following the backlash, the Information Department revealed the new terms today, effectively immediately.

The department said the terms will see government and local media practitioners, including online journalists, get the pass for two years.

Malaysians working for foreign media outlets will also be eligible for the two-year validity compared to the previous one-year pass. - Mkini