KUALA LUMPUR – The media must remain independent and not be compelled to remove published articles at the behest of any authority, including police or government officials, said National Press Club (NPC) president Datuk Ahirudin Attan.
The veteran journalist, popularly known as Rocky Bru, emphasised that while the police can request media cooperation for changes and fact-checking of published reports, the media operates under its own set of principles.
“Editors should know that they are not supposed to remove articles. Police are not the editors or group editors,” said Ahirudin, who is also group executive director of Big Boom Media, publisher of Scoop.
“If it’s true that the police are demanding some editors to bring down stories, and those editors ‘akur’ (yield) to the demands, they should resign.”
“I don’t want to question the police on why they think they can tell the media to bring down stories because nobody can, except our editors and publishers. Perhaps someone up there believes that this is a police state. But our profession (as journalists) is as important as the police, and we need each other.”
This comes after reports of editors of numerous news outlets receiving requests to remove or alter articles related to an alleged assault by a VVIP’s bodyguard on a deaf e-hailing driver.
Ahirudin called for a more productive and constructive engagement between the police and the media and said journalists must remain firm on their principles.
“There has been very little engagement between the police and the media in terms of helping to create a better or safer society.
“If an editor feels intimidated, then he or she should resign. You can only take down or correct your story if it is not true. If you are convinced it’s going to slander someone, you don’t publish the story. You ensure the facts are right, and if someone tells you to take it down, you give them the middle finger and say, ‘I’ve got a job to do’.”
Responding to reporters after the inaugural Jom Jalan with NPC programme in Padang Merbok earlier today, Ahirudin said that no party, including the police or even ministers, has the authority to demand the removal of already published articles.
Yesterday, lawyer N. Surendran said police are close to completing their investigation into an alleged assault on the e-hailing driver.
He said the police have confirmed that investigations are ongoing and about 80% complete, and that the investigation papers will be forwarded to the Attorney-General’s Chambers next week.
Also present were the victim, Ong Ing Keong, and his friend, Pong Chang Khim, who gave statements about the May 28 assault outside the St Regis Hotel.
Surendran, who accompanied Ong during his statement recording, said police questioned Ong about the assault and his immediate report to the police station, where he was offered compensation to drop the case. The lawyer noted that several individuals had come forward to give statements, but the police did not suggest who the perpetrator might be.
The bodyguard under investigation is a member of the security detail of Johor Regent Tunku Ismail, who has called for a thorough investigation and justice for the victim. The crown prince confirmed the escort is from the police force.
The alleged assault was confirmed a day after the incident by Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain. An investigation paper was opened under Section 323 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt.
Initially, KL police chief Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa said the victim lodged a second police report stating the matter had been settled and he did not wish to prolong the issue.
However, Rusdi later clarified that the matter is still under investigation. Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain has promised a thorough probe with no compromise if the perpetrator is found guilty. – June 2, 2024