| CIJ lauds call to set up Parliamentary Select Committee on media freedom |
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| Friday, 23 March 2007 | |
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The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) supports the member of Parliament (MP) of Kota Melaka, Wong Nai Chee's call for a Parliamentary Select Committee for press freedom. The Star newspaper reported on 23 March that Wong called for the Select Committee to be set up to review various laws restricting press freedom in the country, chief among them the Printing Presses and Publications Act (PPPA) which allows the minister to revoke newspapers' publication permit without being subject to judicial review or appeal. Wong said that the overlapping provisions in PPPA, Official Secret Act, Sedition Act and Internal Security Act created an environment of media self censorship and interference in the newsrooms by politicians. He also called for public documents to be revealed as the public has the right to information. The MP made a commendable move in respecting the people's right to freedom of speech, guaranteed under the Federal Constitution. As an organization with the mission of advocating freedom of expression, CIJ agrees with the Member of Parliament that press freedom leads to an improvement in governance. CIJ hopes that the government will heed the people's call to set up the Select Committee. CIJ also urges other MPs to make a similar call in order to protect the people's right to freedom of speech. Issued by Sonia Randhawa Executive Director |
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