The press accreditation card is not a licence to practise journalism, unlike those given to medical or legal practitioners, said Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.
Media cards are merely a means to facilitate media access to official events, he explained.
The minister said this in justifying the Information Department’s move to issue media cards with shorter validity to journalists from various online news agencies.
"I hope media colleagues can help clarify that this is not like a medical licence to practise. It’s not a professional body like (those of) lawyers, architects or doctors where a licence is needed to work in that field.
"This is not a licence - the media accreditation card is issued by the Information Department specifically to facilitate journalists' attendance and reporting at official government events.
"For example, to come to today's event, none of you required a media accreditation card but if journalists want to report on National Day celebrations, coronation ceremonies and certain events in Parliament, then there are some considerations," he told reporters after attending a function in Kuala Lumpur.
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 added.
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.
Curbing media card misuse
Providing further justification for the decision to restructure the media accreditation system, Fahmi cited instances where the access granted via the cards had been abused by certain practitioners.
He revealed that he recently encountered a reporter still bearing a media card while representing a defunct organisation.
Such cases, according to the minister, underscore the need to review and tighten the issuance process to ensure the cards are only utilised by active, legitimate media entities.
"If I'm not mistaken, during the relaunch of the MPI (Malaysian Press Institute) document, I met a journalist who was using a media accreditation card from an organisation that is no longer functioning.
"So this is one of the reasons, and it is an online media organisation.
“We have to consider, especially within the online media ecosystem, whether (to issue media accreditation cards) and how to go about it," he added.
When asked whether there were any changes made to determine the media card renewal period, Fahmi simply said the rules stand as the Information Department is still reviewing the policies.
Yesterday, Malaysiakini reported that the Information Department sparked concerns by issuing media accreditation cards with substantially reduced validity to numerous online media journalists.
While some received cards valid for only six months, others, including several from Malaysiakini, were granted one-year validity, significantly shorter than the standard two-year term typically accorded to local media outlets.
Malaysiakini understands the sixth-month validity was intended to be a “probation period” for newly registered media practitioners, while cards for part-timers, stringers and foreigners employed by foreign media outlets here will be valid for a year.
On the other hand, Malaysians working for foreign media outlets here are expected to have their current one-year validity media card extended to two years. - Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.