WE find it totally unacceptable that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is playing ‘Big Brother’ by injudiciously blocking online media content.
We are concerned that as of late, media practitioners have been called by MCMC to explain the content they carry on their news portals and online sites.
What is more worrying is the fact that many of the so-labelled “offending” contents are mere reports and opinion pieces deemed critical of the government.
We strongly disapprove of any attempt to use a state apparatus like MCMC to question, censor or block portals and online news content.
We have seen how in previous governments even the slightest complaint from the public or from members of the ruling elite was acted upon swiftly, though unnecessarily.
The present government came to power on the promise of allowing a free flow of information and a vibrant free press.
Despite that, the complaints by media practitioners that their sites have been blocked are on the rise. It is an unhealthy trend which must be stopped immediately.
We believe that the regulatory body has other priorities, blocking websites is not one of them.
While we understand the Internet has become a harbinger of hate and misinformation, we believe media practitioners are disciplined individuals guided by professionalism and ethics.
The uncontrollable social media realm is understandably a problem. We acknowledge that misinformation and fake news have reached crisis level worldwide.
But we also believe the role that should be played by a free press in the country. The government must ensure a correct ecosystem and a conducive environment for media practitioners to work without fear or favour. – August 29, 2023
This joint statement was signed by veteran journalists Tan Sri Johan Jaaffar (National Journalism Laureate), Datuk A Kadir Jasin (former New Straits Times editor-in-chief), Datuk Hussamuddin Yaacob (Karangkraf group founder), Datuk Seri Azman Ujang (former Bernama chairman and editor-in-chief), Datuk Chamil Wariya (Malaysian Press Institute chief executive), Datuk Yong Soo Heong (former Bernama chief executive and editor-in-chief), Datuk Zakaria Wahab (former Bernama editor-in-chief) and Dr G Manimaran (former journalist and member of the Electoral Reform Committee).