KUALA LUMPUR – PAS’ party mouthpiece Harakah is welcome to appeal the suspension of its media accreditation to the Information Department (Japen), according to Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil.
Fahmi said a process was available to allow a lifting of the suspension, in which Harakah can clarify and explain its actions.
“For now, I have not received any appeal, but I will check with the Information Department if they have been contacted (by Harakah).
“Their appeal will surely be considered,” he said when met at the relaunch of The Sun newspaper at Bukit Kiara Equestrian & Country Resort, here today.
The minister insisted that the suspension of the media identification cards of Harakah’s staff was based on several discussions and conditions set by Japen.
“There is a set of conditions by Japen, and it applies to all media organisations.”
Meanwhile, Fahmi advised all media practitioners to make news reports based on journalistic ethics and authentic facts, adding that the government has never prohibited the right to freedom of expression, but it must be in line with manners and ethical reporting.
“I want to emphasise that we (the government) practice freedom of the media, freedom of speech, but our country has laws and manners. So, as long as it does not violate any law and manners, then continue to express and continue to report. But if a violation occurs, then the authorities will take action.”
Earlier, the publication’s online portal Harakahdaily had published a set of photos accompanying an article featuring Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, with the Israeli flag behind him.
Anwar condemned the act by describing the publication of the article as “rude” and “slanderous graphic” during yesterday’s Dewan Rakyat session.
However, PAS’ information chief, Ahmad Fadhli Shaari, said that he accepted the prime minister’s reprimand regarding the article but was taken aback when Harakah received a letter from Japen on the retraction of their media accreditation cards from their reporters.
“This is something Harakah has never experienced before,” Fadhli said during his debate on the Supply Bill 2024 at the committee level in Parliament yesterday. – November 8, 2023