PM: Govt guarantees freedom of the press

KUALA LUMPUR: Media practitioners in the country are free to report any news as long as it is based on accurate and authentic facts, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

He said media practitioners are aware of their responsibilities and limitations as disseminators of information.

"The media must be responsible... to tell the truth, to provide true information. If the information is true, there will be no objections and constraints from the government on how the news is to be delivered," he told reporters during a visit to Media Prima here on Wednesday (Sept 7).

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Earlier, he was interviewed by the Hot FM, 8 FM and Molek FM radio channels.

He said the government’s guarantee of press freedom is reflected in its actions.

"If they go beyond what is allowed, the government will definitely reprimand them, (but) so far, no media (organisation) has been closed down or had its licence revoked.

"This means there is freedom of the press,” he said.

Describing the role of mainstream media as very important in disseminating accurate information, Ismail Sabri said the public should not only rely on social media for information.

"As we know, inaccurate and distorted information is being disseminated, causing people to be confused.

"That's why it's important for the mainstream media, such as TV3 and the print media, to provide accurate and not misleading information," he said. – Bernama