KUALA LUMPUR: Media practitioners must always strike a balance when it comes to using sources, says Fahmi Fadzil (pic).
"We have to take note that media practitioners have the right to safeguard the identity of their sources, but a balance must be struck when it comes to slander,” said the Communications and Digital Minister.
He said this in response to Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim (PN-Arau) after he proposed the government stop the practice of quoting sources and compel reporters to reveal the identities of who they have quoted.
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"Why don't we set a condition that the word 'source' can't be mentioned? Because sometimes a minister will say something but tell (journalists) 'Don't say it was me, it's a source,” said Shahidan.
Fahmi also said that the government had always supported freedom of speech in line with the provisions of the Federal Constitution.
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He then added that such rights must be exercised in line with the existing laws.
