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Explain threat or lift ban on journalists |
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Wednesday, 25 June 2008 |
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The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) is deeply concerned about the ban imposed by the parliament on journalists in the parliament lobby. The presence of journalists in the parliament lobby should not be seen as a security liability as they have an important duty to report to the public. Restricting the number of journalists in public institutions such as the parliament is tantamount to restricting freedom of the press.
Online daily Malaysiakini reported on 24 and 25 June that the parliament lobby, the place where members of parliament meet, hold informal meetings and answer questions by journalists has been cordoned off to prevent media from accessing the area. Four days before, the parliament issued a letter to the media limiting to only five representitves from each media to cover the parliament. In response to the banning, journalists initiated a boycott for all functions held outside of the parliament chamber, covering only the chamber proceeding. The ban was also protested by the National Union of Journalist (NUJ) and parliamentarians including the backbenchers.
CIJ questions the need to restrict the number and the movement of journalists on security concerns, as the Malaysian parliament is one of those institutions with the tightest security measures in the world. The parliament imposes strict conditions for reporters to cover and online news sites have to apply for special passes till today as they do not have the accreditation tags issued by the Information Ministry. On this ground, we reject the statement by the Deputy Speaker Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar linking the presence of journalists with a "chaotic" parliament. We ask Wan Junaidi to retract his statement and apologise to journalists who are performing their duties to report on not only the parliamentary proceedings but also issues and statements at the lobby.
In addition, the Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia must spell out the security concerns and explain the threats he is referring to that warrant such ban. Without clear justifications and an explanation, the order smack of an attempt to minimise the coverage of the crisis and defections rumoured to take place among BN politicians, given the current political scenario in the country. Otherwise, journalists should be allowed to move freely in the parliament to perform their duties.
The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) aspires for a society that is democratic, just and free, where all people enjoy free media and the freedom to express, seek, and impart information.
Ends
Issued by,
Centre for Independent Journalism
For more information please contact Wai Fong at 03 4023 0772.
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