KUALA LUMPUR – The Communication and Digital Ministry is prepared to receive an appeal from news organisation Harakah, saying that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (Tambun-PH) is ready to forgive its mistake.
Its minister, Fahmi Fadzil (Lembah Pantai-PH), said he would discuss the revocation of Harakah’s media accreditation cards with the Information Department, but stressed that the media must practise ethical journalism.
“We welcome Harakah’s appeal letter, we are ready; like the prime minister has said, he is ready to forgive.
“This does not only apply to Harakah…but we want to stress about ethical journalism, and we hope for cooperation from all the media practitioners,” he told the Dewan Rakyat today.
He said this in response to Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (Pasir Mas-PN), who questioned the government’s assurance that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission is not being abused to restrict media freedom and freedom of speech.
In his supplementary question, Fadhli said he was concerned that the government’s intention to promote media freedom cannot be realised, as he alleged that MCMC has been abused to restrict social media content for political purposes.
In response, Fahmi said that under the unity government, not a single media practitioner has been detained by the police, and no news agency has been shut down.
He added that not only posts on 3R (race, religion, and royalty) issues will be removed, but posts that spread false information, distasteful, threatening, and defamatory content will also be taken down.
“Those whose social media content was affected by this could make an appeal to the respective platforms or the MCMC.”
Earlier, Fahmi stated that the MCMC’s role is not to restrict press freedom, but to ensure that information is disseminated responsibly.
“The government always supports the principle of media freedom and guarantees the freedom of speech of the people in accordance with Clause 1(a), Article 10 of the federal constitution.
“However, freedom of speech does not permit slander, defamation, racist statements, abusive language, or hatred of the royal institution.
“MCMC’s responsibilities and functions fall under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588), and one of its main responsibilities is to ensure that online platforms are not used to violate the law.” – November 9, 2023