KUALA LUMPUR: Complaints against journalists from recognised media organisations should first go through the Malaysian Media Council (MMM), rather than automatically leading to investigations and enforcement actions, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“Media practitioners remain subject to the law.
“However, I agree that journalists should not be easily drawn into cases initiated by government departments.
“For journalists working with established media organisations, they will not automatically be charged or investigated, as the current process requires matters to be referred to the (MMM) before any decision is made,” he said during the Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
Anwar said this in reply to Tampin MP Datuk Mohd Isam Mohd Isa regarding the government’s position on the country’s legal framework, which allows journalists to be prosecuted under the Sedition Act 1948 and the Official Secrets Act 1972, laws that critics argue indirectly restrict press freedom.
He said the mechanism was introduced to ensure that any action taken against media practitioners is conducted fairly, transparently and independently.
Anwar added that no journalists had been prosecuted over the past year despite numerous complaints lodged by various parties.
Meanwhile, the MMM welcomed Anwar’s call that complaints involving journalists from recognised media organisations should first be referred to the council before any further action is taken.
The council said the Prime Minister’s remarks reinforce the role of independent media self-regulation and support a fair, transparent and professional process for addressing concerns relating to journalism while upholding both media freedom and accountability.
The MMM also emphasised that journalists and media organisations are subject to all existing laws.
“However, where complaints concern journalistic practice and media work, action against journalists should not be initiated automatically solely because a complaint has been lodged by any party.
“Such complaints should first undergo a review process that takes into account the context of journalism, the role of the media in a democratic society, and the media’s responsibilities to the public,” it said.
This approach is essential to ensure that journalists are not subjected to arbitrary pressure, investigations or punitive measures, said the MMM.
“At the same time, it ensures that individuals and organisations affected by media reporting have access to a legitimate and structured avenue to seek clarification, responses, corrections or appropriate remedies.
“Through MMM’s complaints mechanism, members of the public, organisations, government authorities and any party affected by media reporting may submit complaints to the council,” it said.
All complaints received will first be assessed by the secretariat to determine whether they fall within MMM’s jurisdiction and involve matters relating to journalism or media practice, it added.
“Where appropriate, MMM may refer the matter to the relevant media organisation for a response, clarification or corrective action,” it said.
