NUJ president sacked from Utusan
National Union of Journalists (NUJ) president Hata Wahari has finally been sacked by Utusan Melayu (M) Berhad for issuing statements that are against the terms of his employment.
National Union of Journalists (NUJ) president Hata Wahari has finally been sacked by Utusan Melayu (M) Berhad for issuing statements that are against the terms of his employment.
A letter signed by
Utusan
’s general manager of human resource dated April 21 stated that the decision to dismiss Hata (
left
) took into consideration the company’s domestic inquiry.
"After considering the factors brought forward in the domestic inquiry and circumstances surrounding the accusations, the company had no choice but to relieve you of your employment forthwith, effective from the date of this letter," read the eight-page document that Utusan chairperson had hand-delivered to Hata.
Utusan had charged Hata on eight counts based on statements that had been published in Malaysiakini , The Sun daily and two news portals.
He has 14 days to appeal his dismissal but due to the late delivery of the notice, only has three days left to do so.
Hata however plans to go ahead with his appeal.
The NUJ chief faced a domestic inquiry throughout March and April, after being accused of tarnishing the company's image with his public statements.
He however remains undaunted in his fight for press freedom and says he intends to press on.
"This is the risk that a reporter takes when he is vocal for press freedom," he told reporters at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today, adding that he had anticipated this outcome and is prepared to face it.
Hata is not the first Utusan reporter and NUJ representative who has been fired by the Umno-linked company. Since 1989, two other reporters have met the same fate, most recently Utusan journalist Amran Ahmad who was sacked in 2009.
From one Utusan to another
Asked on his next move, Hata said he plans to be involved in PKR Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar’s planned daily, Utusan Rakyat .
He added that he is accompanying the Lembah Pantai MP (
right
) to the Home Ministry tomorrow to discuss the rejection of their printing permit.
He also hopes to be a columnist in Harian Malaysia , a website set up by his relative.
"I may also set up a nasi lemak stand," he quipped.
Quizzed about his position in the NUJ after being fired from Utusan , Hata said that he is looking at maintaining his office, following the precedent set n the case of NUBE secretary general J Solomon, who remained in his union post despite being sacked by his employers, while the matter was pending in the industrial court.
Hata also voiced opposition to Information Communication and Culture Minister Rais Yatim’s plans to resurrect the Media Consultative Council.
"I plan to write an NUJ statement to the minister to protest," he said.
He views the council as unnecessary government interference, suggesting instead that the media industry be allowed to practice self-regulation through a council made up of media practitioneers themselves.
"It is this body that then would self regulate the media and come out with rulings that all media must follow, and go after errant news organisations that flout them.
"I view media freedom and balance in reporting as important, and hope that the media would not have to go through the back door like the online portals in order to be able to report news that mainstream media dare not touch," he said.
