A public forum on "Journalists, press freedom and the law" will be held at the Bar Council Auditorium on May 10, in conjunction with the World Press Freedom Day which falls on May 3 every year.

The forum, jointly organised by the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) and Bar Council, will discuss several issues including the protection for journalists and their sources as well as the impact of the proposed media council.

Speakers include malaysiakini editor-in-chief Steven Gan, New Straits Times' news editor Balan Moses, former Hakam president Raja Aziz Addruse, Commonwealth Lawyers Association president Dr Cyrus V Das, Sun's editor-in-chief Zainon Ahmad, Universiti Teknologi Mara mass communications lecturer Dr Ahmad Murad Merican and World Association of Press Councils secretary general R Gunasingam.

Both Raja Aziz and Cyrus are former chairperson of the Bar Council while Zainon is with the Malaysian Press Institute.

There will also be two panel discussions. The day-long session will be summed up by Society of Publishers in Asia chairperson Cyril D Pereira.

Bar Council human rights sub-committee chairperson Cecil Rajendra and NUJ president Norila Mohd Daud will give their welcome remarks followed by Bar Council chairperson Mah Weng Kwai's speech.

The entry fee is RM10 for members of NUJ, Bar Council and chambering students and RM20 for non-members.