In a memorandum to Suhakam today, CIJ outlined four recommendations; the body to take a stronger stand on media independence, to initiate and facilitate the setting up of a Parliamentary Select Committee on Media Law Reform, to push for the repeal of the Printing Presses and Publications Act (PPPA), and to take steps to ensure the enactment of Freedom of Information Laws (FOI).

 

"The recommendations are warranted by the ongoing situation characterized by political interference in the newsroom, actions against bloggers, attacks against media workers, censorship and racialization of issues by the media," said CIJ Executive Director Gayathry Venkiteswaran.

"Suhakam must call for an end to the practise of political interference in newsroom and to reinforce the notion of the media as the fourth estate. On the other hand, it also must constantly make a stance for ethical journalism. An immediate issue on media ethics that Suhakam should address is the propagation of racial antagonism at the expense of transparency, good governance and human rights by the media."

CIJ also asked Suhakam to be more pro-active in pushing for law reform. It recommended, as a start, that the Commission to initiate the establishment of a Parliamentary Select Committee on Media Law Reform.

"The Select Committee is an important process to allow discussion and analysis of the situation of freedom of speech at the parliament level, where the public can have access to the discussion as well as to give feedback. The results from the discussion are then geared towards the review of laws. In order to have free media and fuller freedom of expression, legislations should protect against any unjustified barrier of entry to the media industry, excessive concentration of media ownership, and personal and institutional threats to writers, journalists and publishers."

"Therefore, the PPPA in its current form is one of those potent laws that allows all of the above violations. It should be repealed and Suhakam should make that agenda its priority."

 

In addition, CIJ also called the Commission to ensure the enactment of FOI Laws both at the Federal as well as at the state level.

"Citizens cannot exercise their right to vote effectively or take part in the decision-making if they do not have free access to information and ideas and not able to express their views freely. Freedom of information is a fundamental right that is as important as freedom of expression," Gayathry said.

Suhakam Commissioner Datuk Dr. Denison Jayasooria received the memorandum presented jointly by Gayathry, Editor for Malaysiakini (Malay) Fathi Aris Omar, and Human Rights Lawyer and Coordinator for the Southeast Asian Media Defence, HR Dipendra.

 

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.

 

Ends

 

For more information please contact Wai Fong at 03 4023 0772.