Media practitioners urged to exercise freedom of expression responsibly

KUALA LUMPUR: Media practitioners in Malaysia should exercise freedom of expression responsibly, without jeopardising harmony or causing chaos, says Malaysian Press Institute (MPI) president Datuk Yong Soo Heong.

He emphasised the need for the media to celebrate freedom of expression while avoiding sensitive issues such as race, religion and royalty (3Rs).

"The media should focus on issues that strengthen racial relations rather than dividing our society. It's important that we live harmoniously," he told Bernama on Friday (May 3).

He stressed the importance of highlighting Malaysia's achievements to the world rather than focusing on trivial matters that could disrupt harmony in the country.

World Press Freedom Day, celebrated on May 3 each year, raises awareness about the importance of press freedom and supports the right to freedom of expression in line with the concept of Malaysia Madani.

Regarding press freedom in Malaysia, the former editor-in-chief of the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) said that it is satisfactory, with no restrictions from authorities as long as sensitive issues such as the 3Rs are avoided.

He highlighted Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's openness to criticism as a sign of the government's willingness to accept criticism and make positive changes.

Meanwhile, Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm), in conjunction with World Press Freedom Day, said the Malaysian Media Council Bill's tabling could potentially enhance media freedom and integrity in the country.

According to the coalition, this legislative move demonstrates a strong commitment to upholding press freedom and reinforces the resilience of Malaysia's media landscape.

In JOHOR, Johor Media Club president Mohamad Fauzi Ishak said that media freedom is crucial in a democratic country but needs to be exercised responsibly by mainstream media practitioners.

Mohd Fauzi, also president of the Federation of Malaysian Media Clubs (GKMM), hopes that all media practitioners will shoulder the responsibility and avoid sensitive issues, especially those related to the 3R and fake news.

In TERENGGANU, Zaid Mohd Noor, deputy president of the Terengganu Media Journalists Club (Kawat), emphasised the importance of media freedom in enabling the media to convey the wishes of the people, who have the right to freedom of expression.

All parties should be free to express themselves, and the media should report their statements without any restrictions. However, media freedom in Malaysia is currently limited," he said.

In KOTA KINABALU, Sabah Journalists Association (SJA) president Datuk Muguntan Vanar expressed hope for establishing the Malaysian Media Council to enhance the country's media independence.

"We hope that the media council will promote the independence of the press, allowing for responsible, ethical and fair journalism," he said.

On Feb 21, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the Malaysian Media Council Bill will be tabled in Parliament in June.

Fahmi, the Unity Government spokesman, said the Attorney-General's Chambers is currently finalising the bill and will bring it to the Cabinet for approval before being tabled in Parliament. – Bernama