I have always been a champion of media rights, says Fahmi

KUALA LUMPUR: Amid backlash over the new Malaysian Code of Ethics for Journalists, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil maintains that his stance of championing media freedom remains unchanged.

He reiterated his commitment to media freedom after a government backbencher expressed concern that the code would be used to suppress journalists’ ability to write exposés.

“From before I was an MP who championed the plight of journalists and was even slandered in the Dewan Rakyat for defending journalists’ right to report ... I was verbally attacked repeatedly.

“As a democrat who holds firm to the principles of reformation, both the government and I do not wish to limit the right to freedom of speech or journalists’ right to do their jobs.

“Freedom of the press remains one of the core values that we don't just support but will continue to champion,” he said in response to RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong) during Ministry Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (March 12).

Rayer also raised concerns that the new code would be used to restrict and revoke the issuance of media cards to journalists.

To this, Fahmi said the card was not a mandatory requirement for journalists to work.

“Having or not having a card won't keep someone from writing a report.

“We do not restrict anyone who wishes to make a report, (whether it is) a live feed or a recording of events.

"The card is just a document to make it easier for journalists to attend and cover official government events or Parliament,” he said.

Earlier, Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan (PN-Tasek Gelugor) had asked Fahmi to explain the rationale behind the code and to guarantee that it would not be used to curtail media freedom.

The new code, launched on Feb 20, is the first time the national journalism ethics manual has been reviewed in 35 years since it was drafted in 1989 by the Malaysian Press Institute (MPI)

Developed by the Communications Ministry through discussion sessions with key media stakeholders including from MPI and the National Union of Journalists, the code was meant to update journalistic ethics for the digital age.