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Wednesday, March 6, 2024

Media card fiasco: Govt shooting itself in the foot

 


If it isn’t broken, don't fix it, goes the adage. However, the Communications Ministry is trying to exactly do the opposite and, in the process, shooting itself in the foot.

It has also become a lightning rod, attracting criticism, that may divert attention from more serious issues, or allow a more important public figure to appear blameless.

The falling ringgit, rise in consumables and the soaring cost of living have been making the headlines in recent weeks.

If former senior minister Rafidah Aziz can be “censored”, what about lesser mortals like ordinary Malaysians?

Rafidah’s complaint was that her Facebook post, on Feb 27, about pensioners treated at the National Heart Institute (IJN) was visible only to herself, and not her followers unless they were using a virtual private network (VPN).

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil had explained to her that he did not issue instructions to block her latest post.

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil

If not him, then who?

These issues must be addressed directly instead of allowing side shows that have inadvertently drawn journalists into the line of fire.

Is someone trying to play the role of “Big Brother” for journalists or is it some little Napoleon who is flexing his muscles or are there hidden hands directing state-sponsored censorship?

Or is there a concerted effort to ensure that media freedom exists just in name but is being controlled by the government?

How else do you read Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail’s denial of rumours that the ministry is trying to block the forming of a media council, which is in its final stage?

The sting is in his explanation: “…when this media council is set up, we will monitor some overlapping issues from the perspective of law enforcement. Because we also have our Enforcement and Control Division.

Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail

“Because the media council will have its own enforcement arm. So, we want to harmonise it. That’s all.”

Firstly, what are or will be the overlapping functions? More importantly, is there going to be an enforcement unit in the media council?

Will someone be checking if journalists are wearing watches with rainbow colours or wearing yellow-coloured apparel?

And yesterday’s revelation of “restricted” media accreditation cards smacks of yet another attempt to stifle press freedom.

The Information Department has issued media cards with significantly shorter validity for multiple online media journalists from various news agencies.

This is significantly shorter than the standard two-year validity for media cards issued to local media and contradicts the policy stated on the Information Department website.

The shorter validity of media cards seems to affect journalists working for several online outfits, who applied to renew or made fresh applications for media cards starting this year.

Why no consultation process?

One has to agree wholeheartedly with media freedom advocacy group Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm) which said the lack of transparency on the issue of media accreditation is problematic and without due justification can be seen as an additional means of controlling the media.

This is especially true since changes to the terms were not communicated to the stakeholders.

In a face-saving move, the department did an about-turn of sorts when it announced that it is currently in the process of reviewing standard operating procedures (SOP) for issuing media cards, including the period of validity.

The review, it said, will also affect validity terms for media cards issued to foreign media and journalists working with local online publications.

Three years ago, I wrote about the hassle involved in getting a replacement of my media accreditation card which I had lost 10 years earlier.

I don’t attend government press conferences and events, I don’t need one, but working journalists need one. By making it difficult, what other conclusion can we arrive at?

This fiasco is a sign that all is not that hunky dory as claimed in the ministry and it lacks leadership and direction with officials imposing their own set of rules and regulations.

Was all this necessary? Shouldn’t there have been a consultation process or does the government continue to believe it knows best? - Mkini


R NADESWARAN is a veteran journalist who writes on bread-and-butter issues. Comments: citizen.nades22@gmail.com.

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

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