Uphold principles of accurate, ethical news reporting, Comms Minister tells media practitioners

KUALA LUMPUR: Media practitioners need to uphold the principles of accurate and ethical news reporting at all times, says Tan Sri Annuar Musa (pic).

The Communications and Multimedia Minister said this would enhance the integrity of the media itself.

He added that the ministry, through the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) in particular, had received complaints about media practitioners involving conventional media, online media and social media violating ethics and laws.

"In this regard, I believe all media practitioners have the ability to make their own assessments and the moral strength to always abide by the law and maintain journalism ethics in every news report.

"Although the government respects the principle of press freedom, all parties must be accountable for the news and reports (they) publish," he said in a statement Wednesday (Feb 2).

Annuar said any reporting that violated the rights of others or the law must be avoided because it could result in the media facing legal action under the Penal Code. - Bernama