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Admin rules in Parliament should not deter daily routine of journalists |
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Local Alerts
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Tuesday, 30 June 2009 |
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The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) is concerned that
journalists are being restricted from covering the parliament
proceedings by seemingly sudden and unannounced tightening of security
rules. As the parliament is first and foremost a public institution,
restricting journalists from its proceedings is tantamount to
restricting the public's right to know.
Online news site Malaysiakini reported on 29 June that several
journalists from dailies New Straits Times, theSun and Nanyang, and
online news portals Merdeka Review as well as Malaysiakini were
disallowed from covering the proceedings for not having valid official
media tags. Among those affected were beat reporters with whom the
security team are familiar. One journalist confirmed she had been
allowed in the last two weeks since the Parliament resumed sitting this
month. Sources in some of the newsrooms mentioned above told CIJ that
while the rule requiring journalists to have a valid media tag has
always been in place, the enforcement has been discretionary.
While the parliament's security needs are undeniable, CIJ thinks
that blocking journalists for procedural reasons is contentious
especially when the enforcement of the security rules has been
inconsistently applied. As an institution that is expected to be highly
public, the security team should have allowed for ample prior notice to
senior journalists to renew their expired tags or for the new
journalists to get theirs ready.
Sporadic tightening of security rules raises questions about the
practices of transparency and uncertainties for press freedom. Among
others, Parliament today debated the Enforcement Agency Integrity
Commission (Siap) Bill, said to be a watered down compromise of the
proposed Special Complaints Commission that was introduced to replace
the recommendation by a Royal Commission for an Independent Police
Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC).
These could have been avoided if the expectations to follow rules
and regulations are clearly and consistently made both in theory and
practice.
CIJ maintains that restricting journalists is a breach
of press freedom and urges all public institutions not to subject
journalists and media to ad hoc or undue restrictions.
The Centre for Independent Journalism, Malaysia (CIJ) is a non-profit
organisation that aspires for a society that is democratic, just and
free where all people will enjoy free media and the freedom to express,
seek, and impart information.
Issued by
Gayathry Venkiteswaran
Executive Director
For more information please contact Wai Fong at 03 4023 0772.
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