KUALA LUMPUR: There needs to be restraint and respect for media rights, says the Malaysian Media Council (MMM), following the alleged harassment of Johor media personnel.
In a statement on Wednesday (May 20), MMM said it had received a formal complaint from one of its members from the Johor Media Club.
"This complaint concerns an alleged incident of harassment, obstruction and disruption involving media personnel during the coverage of the Pakatan Harapan convention in Johor Bahru on Sunday (May 17).
"According to the complaint, media practitioners were allegedly obstructed while carrying out their professional duties, with the situation reportedly escalating into pushing incidents and verbal altercations.
"The complaint said that several female media practitioners were among those affected. The Johor Media Club has since lodged a police report over the matter as well," it read.
The council said that it took note of the Pakatan Harapan Convention Secretariat issuing a statement, saying that it was taking the allegations seriously and initiating an internal investigation.
"They have expressed their commitment to cooperating with the authorities.
"We welcome this response and urge that the investigation be conducted thoroughly, transparently and expeditiously.
"We also take note of the statement by Johor state education and information committee chairman Aznan Tamin, who affirmed that provocation and aggressive conduct towards members of the media is not part of Johor’s values and culture," it said.
The council stated unequivocally that media practitioners performing their duties lawfully and professionally must be accorded the respect, space and safety to do so.
"A free, independent and functioning press is not merely a professional courtesy, it is a cornerstone of a democratic and informed society.
"Media personnel covering public events, including political conventions, do so in the exercise of their professional responsibilities and in service of the public’s right to information.
"They must not be obstructed, intimidated, pushed or subjected to any form of aggressive behaviour in the course of their work," MMM said.
The council also wanted to make it clear that physical force, aggression or intimidation were never acceptable responses to the presence of the media.
"If any party has concerns or grievances regarding the conduct of any media practitioner or organisation, the proper course of action is to raise the matter formally through the appropriate channels, not to take matters into their own hands.
"The MMM Code of Conduct and Grievance Mechanism exists for this purpose.
"Under Section 6 of the Code of Conduct, media practitioners and media organisations are themselves bound by standards that prohibit harassment and intimidation.
"Equally, any member of the public, organisation or institution that believes a media practitioner has acted in breach of the code may file a formal complaint with us (MMM) through our grievance mechanism," it said.
It said the process was accessible, fair and designed to protect the rights of all parties while upholding professional standards, accountability and due process.
"We call on event organisers across all political parties, public institutions and private entities to ensure that proper access, adequate coordination and safe working conditions are provided to credentialed media personnel at all events, in line with the principles of media freedom, transparency and public accountability.
"The safety and dignity of every media practitioner in Malaysia is a matter this council takes seriously.
"We will continue to uphold and defend those rights without fear or favour," it said.
On Sunday (May 17), it was reported that there was an incident involving alleged harassment and disruption against media personnel during the coverage of the Pakatan Harapan convention in Johor Baru.
The Johor Media Club had, in a statement on Tuesday (May 19), said the incident allegedly involved excessive actions by the party security squad tasked with controlling the convention and managing the movement of dignitaries.
The club added that several local media practitioners from Johor and Kuala Lumpur were obstructed from carrying out their duties through aggressive behaviour.
The association said the situation escalated into pushing incidents and verbal altercations while media personnel were attempting to obtain reactions from party leaders.
"The uncontrolled situation not only caused discomfort and disrupted media duties, but also directly affected the safety of media personnel carrying out their responsibilities professionally," it said.
Following the incident, the club said it had lodged a police report to ensure such incidents would not recur and to safeguard the welfare and rights of media personnel.
