A senior editor with the nation's top-selling newspaper Star has called on the government to abolish the restrictive Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 (PPPA).

Making the call today, the Star's deputy group chief editor II Wong Chun Wai said the government must seriously review the PPPA in an effort to gradually repeal it.

"If it is not repealed, the act will become obsolete one day," he stressed.

Speaking at a press freedom forum titled 'Testing the Limits' in Kuala Lumpur this morning, Wong said any attempt to suppress press freedom and free flow of information would prove futile today as readers could opt for the alternative media.

"The tool of information has changed, the rule of the game has changed," he said, adding that suppression of news would only lead to rumours and exaggeration of news reports.

The PPPA has long been the bone of contention between media practitioners, interested groups and the government. Repeated campaigns to get the act repealed has proved futile.

The act, among others, prescribes a maximum 12-month validity for publishing permits, forcing owners to re-apply annually. The power to grant, renew and revoke permit lies previously with the Home Ministry, now Interior Ministry.

'Who are you?'

Wong also criticised certain "bureaucrats" who tend to call up editors requesting that unfavourable news reports against them not be published. He said most of the young editors today do not subscribe to this practice.

"There was such a call two weeks ago. I immediately report to the Prime Minister's Office and asked them to look into that particular case," he said.

He said politicians and the authorities should respond positively to news reports which may be critical but necessary.

"Take for example the national service programme. Instead of blaming the media for sensationalising the news, you must rectify the problems," Wong asserted.

He expressed confidence in Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's wisdom on handling the media saying that the prime minister's aides were all open-minded about press freedom.

On the limit in news reporting, Wong said there is no real guidelines but it is subject to how an issue is written and treated.

"If you want to write an article like an opposition leader, then you should join politics," he said.

The editor voiced his support for the establishment of the self-regulatory board, the media council, and also suggested that a press charter be formed to embody the rights and responsibilities of media practitioners.

Protecting the powers-that-be

Speaking at the forum, malaysiakini editor-in-chief Steven Gan expressed his disappointment with the new premier who has failed to state his stand on press freedom since assuming power six months ago.

He cited Abdullah's opening addresses in two Asian regional media conferences held in Kuala Lumpur recently where the prime minister spoke at length about good governance and multiracial societies but nothing on press freedom.

Gan pointed out the government's contention that censorship was to protect national security is indeed, to protect the powers-that-be.

He said the move to set up the media council - with the prerequisite of the restrictive laws being abolished - is a positive move.

Voicing his support to repeal the PPPA, the online daily editor stressed on the need for the liberalisation of the licencing system as it would allow other media players to enter the scene and provide greater competition in the industry.

Gan called on the government to adopt the recommendations by the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam), such as review and subsequent repeal of arbitrary provisions in the PPPA and the Official Secrets Act that curb press freedom.

"While we believe that such recommendations do not go far enough, surely the government should be more amenable to suggestions from an organisation which it itself set up," he said.

Know the difference

New Straits Times executive editor Rajan Moses, who also spoke at the forum, said local news organisations must contemplate the differences between local and the foreign news wire reporting on the same issue.

Rajan, who had worked for Reuters, said the latter contained better background information and at times more accurate.

He added if the foreign news wires could go to that extent and not fear the risk of being punished, the local media organisation should also emulate it.

Others panelists who spoke at the half-day forum included media lecturer Dr Faridah Ibrahim, Bar Council treasurer Ragunath Kesavan and Yayasan Strategik Social executive director Dr Denison Jayasooria.

The forum, which was attended by 30 people, was organised by the National Union of Journalists in conjunction with World Press Freedom Day on Monday.