Media advocacy groups have strongly cautioned Information Minister Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir from insisting that the local media set up a professional ethics code to regulate their news content and sieve through the 'black sheep'.

In response to repeated calls by Information Minister Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir that the media self-regulate their news content by setting up a professional code of ethics, two media groups have cautioned politicians from sticking their heads into editorial decisions.

Dr Mustafa K Anuar, joint coordinator of Charter 2000, a media watchdog of human rights group Aliran, said a professional code should clearly remain voluntary, and any moves by ministers to meddle in the affairs of the media industry is a "cause for concern".

"The underlying objective of journalists having a code of professional ethics is to ensure that journalists abide by certain guidelines in their day-to-day work so that they are socially responsible and accountable," he said in a statement to malaysiakini.

"Equally important is that this professional code should enable them to voluntarily regulate themselves, and not be imposed by external bodies or the state, especially in an environment where democratic space is restricted."

Code already exists

While acknowledging the need to institutionalise a set of media ethics code in all newsrooms, Inisiatif Wartawan coordinator Padmaja Padman pointed out that such codes have in any case been in circulation for "at least 25 years, if not much longer."

Two major codes of ethics, one proposed by the National Union of Journalists and another by a committee of editors headed by former New Straits Times editor A Samad Ismail, have largely been forgotten as veterans leave the profession, and new journalists entering the profession are often not reminded.

"The situation can only be rectified by enforcing the code on a daily basis, although this requires strong editorial will and a commitment to professionalism among journalists," said Padmaja, also in a statement.

However, she stressed that a code of ethics by itself, will not solve all problems faced by the media.

"There is equal need to repeal anti-press laws like the Printing Presses and Publications Act and Official Secrets Act. These don't just deter good journalism and free flow of information, but also expose media houses and journalists to legal sanctions," she added.

Clear parameters exist

Yesterday, Abdul Kadir said a new code needed to be drawn up because "the people want to know what journalists can and cannot do."

"While there are responsible journalists, there are also careless ones," he added.

The minister's most recent comment follows an earlier statement he made last week regarding press coverage of two high-profile court cases, in which explicit sex and violence-related details from the trial was made public.

Then, Abdul Kadir had also urged the private print and electronic media to formulate a mutually agreed media code of ethics to 'regulate itself'.

He added that the private sector media must cooperate with the government to disseminate information about government policies to the people.

Politicians, stay out

Responding, Padmaja said there are already "existing, clear parameters in reporting court cases."

Views over the reporting of rape or other criminal trials should be weighed against the fact that the press have a "corresponding duty to ensure that justice is seen to be done," she said.

"Anything said in open court may be reported, unless the judge specifically instructs the media not to do so. Any editorial decision to withhold details could be seen as self-censorship - and subjected to criticism all over again."

"It is more important that politicians should stay out of such matters because they only confuse the issue," she said, pointing to a recent case where a minister endorsed the publication of photographs of remand suspects.

Padmaja noted that the minister had saw nothing wrong with his proposal, "when any competent journalist would know that it was a breach of ethics."

Obviously, the media would have to respect views of the majority if details of the criminal trials are deemed too offensive, she said. "But this would be for the public, not politicians, to determine."

Enough of gov't meddling

According to Mustafa, Kadir's concern over 'explicit' coverage "may well be shared by many in the civil society as certain news reports bordered on sensationalism...but this shouldn't provide justification for further state intervention in the running of the media industry."

"In a situation like this, the media ought to voluntarily regulate themselves and punish accordingly their reporters and editors who flout the code of ethics," he said.

"Sensationalist reporting has its underlying causes, one of which is profit-maximisation that becomes an economic philosophy of a media organisation," he said..

Secondly, added Mustafa, in an environment that is highly regulated, sensationalist journalism conveniently takes over the rightful place of investigative journalism that probes issues that are relevant and crucial to the ordinary people.

It is rather chilling to note that Kadir's ministry intends to have 'discussionsfrom time to time with editors of the print and electronic media to gather information on latest developments in the media industry.' Such a close liaison can be dangerous indeed," he said.