PETALING JAYA: Following a Cabinet discussion on media freedom, the government’s assurance that journalists may ask questions without fear or intimidation has received the backing of the Malaysian Media Council.
The council expressed appreciation for Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil’s reminder that journalists must be free to question ministers and officials on issues of public interest.
“The minister (Fahmi) reiterated the importance of safeguarding the rights and duties of journalists to question government ministers and officials on matters of public interest – a principle fundamental to transparency and accountability,” the council said in a statement.
Its remarks came after an exchange between Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming and a journalist from Utusan Malaysia.
Nga was reported to have said he would contact Utusan editors over a question he deemed inappropriate.
The matter in question entailed a query on the use of English in a government campaign slogan.
The council said such comments could be perceived as intimidation, stressing that questioning government policies, programmes and actions is part of journalists’ professional duty.
It added that if a journalist is believed to have acted improperly, the proper recourse is to raise the issue with the publisher or lodge a formal complaint with the Media Council.
“While government representatives have the right to express their views, it is unbecoming of public officials to make statements that could be construed as threats or attempts to stifle media freedom,” the council said.
The council also acknowledged Nga’s subsequent apology and his offer to meet with the parties involved, describing the move as constructive and a positive step towards open dialogue.
The episode involving Nga and the reporter ignited concern among media practitioners and led to Cabinet-level discussions on the rights and responsibilities of journalists.
