Calls for press freedom

PETALING JAYA: Press freedom is essential for a country that practises a democratic system of governance as the media is the fourth estate that plays the role as check-and-balance against any excesses by any agency, person or government, said Chan Quin Er, MCA’s publicity bureau chairperson and central committee member.

Given the above, no authority should take it upon themselves to put undue pressure on the media to censure themselves, said Chan in a recent statement in response to what is deemed as a high-handed approach by the government, in particular the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), in evaluating reports that are critical of the government.