Brickbats hurled at move to control online media

The battle has begun against the government’s sudden move to amend the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 (PPPA), to bring the online media under its scrutiny.

National Union of Journalists (NUJ) president Hata Wahari (right) described this as "a step backward” that would turn Malaysia into an "outdated" country in terms of free flow of information.

"The NUJ has (long demanded) that the Home Ministry should amend the Act to provide print publications the space to operate with more freedom, and to eliminate the need to renew printing and publishing permits every year," he said in a statement today.

Late yesterday, the government announced its intention to amend the PPPA to include online publications, which could mean that news portals, blogs and social networking sites may be subjected to the same stringent rules as print publications.

The PPPA allows the government to keep the print media on a tight leash. The home minister’s decision to revoke or not renew their annual publishing permits is final, with no room for judicial intervention.

The government is also set to announce new guidelines on sedition that will cover online content.

Immediate reactions from media practitioners and advocacy groups follow.

Ahiruddin Attan, Redberry Media Group advisor

I remember Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s favourite phrase, "I’ll give latitude to the media". Enforcing the (amendments) goes against the spirit of this government. Even former PM Dr Mahathir Mohamad had promised that the governement will not censor the online media.
 
As it is it, the PPPA is outdated. But I understand if the ministry wants to tighten (control over) the media because there are those who are irresponsible. But expanding the definition of 'publications' to (online content) is over-ambitious.

Quite frankly, not speaking as a blogger but as a journalist, as an editor. I would advise the Home Ministry secretary-general to be very careful with how he handles the media. We are at a crossroads, and also, we are among the few free media in the world, so, don't fall behind.

Shamsul Amri Baharuddin, director, Institute of Ethnic Studies (Kita), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

In Malaysia there is no censorship, which is a good feeling. If this amendment is to be (takes place), it will only go against the good feeling of the Internet medium.

I was a committee member of the National Information Technology Council (NITC) in the late 1990s when Dr M was the chairman. During that time itself, Dr M said ‘no’ to censorship. This amendment will be to monitor, stop and have stronger elements of censorship.

The statement made by Mahmood Adam that “the landscape is totally different now, especially with the intrusion of digital technology” is not true at all but there is no denying the changes caused by the Internet (as there are more people reading online these days).

To me, it’s a ‘back-door censorship attempt policy’. They are just hiding behind the printing act. They can’t even call a spade a spade.

Hasbee Masputra Abu Bakar, Suaram co-ordinator

I am totally surprised at this decision as it shows that BN wants to crack down on the little space that we have. When laws are to be amended, the government rarely makes this known to the public. Only a small fraction of people are aware of this.

It's going to be tough for those with alternative views. It's a return to the Mahathir era. Getting a permit for blogs is not feasible and shouldn't be done.

Ahmad Lutfi Othman, Harakah editor-in-chief

I feel that there will be a lot of protests. The government will not be prepared for this. I am optimistic that, if the government follows through with this, there will be widespread protests.

This will not just involve a small group of businessmen or groups with political interest. This will involve the people at large.

Umno Youth head Khairy Jamaluddin

In a tweet: Just saw news on proposed amendment to Printing Presses & Publications Act to include online content. Personally, I think its ridiculous.

Ambiga Sreenevasam, former Bar Council president

This Act should be repealed and its scope should not be extended. That more media are being included within the scope of such legislation is testament to the fact that Malaysia is becoming more regressive in the human rights area, rather then progressive.

This is unfortunate, given the fact that Malaysia is a member of the UN Commission on Human Rights.

Liau Kok Fah, chairperson of the Civil Rights Committee of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall

We do not agree with the PPPA amendments. The government has broken its promise. It is not right to impose the Act on online publishing. (Malaysia) is not going, moving towards a liberal country.


Additional reporting by Zaidatul Syreen Abdul Rashid and Salhan K Ahmad