The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) today urged the Prime Minister's Office to stop barring online news portals such as Malaysiakini from entering the PMO complex for press events.

"The repeated barring of Malaysiakini from the Prime Minister's Office demonstrates a lack of understanding by our government on the role of press in a democratic society," CIJ directors Sonia Randhawa (right) and Jac Kee said in a statement today.

CIJ also said government members who are averse to criticism from the media have "no business" being in the government.

"Government representatives who are unable to deal with media criticism have no business being in government and representing the people and making decisions on our behalf," the statement said.

"Malaysiakini and other online media outfits such as The Malaysian Insider are established online media outfits.

"Their journalists have been issued media accreditation cards by the Communications and Multimedia Ministry and there is no reason why their journalists should be barred from government press events," it said.

CIJ also said that politicians should send statements correcting any misrepresentation of their statements instead of barring the media.

"CIJ calls upon state and federal governments, and in particular, the PMO, to cease the practice of banning media from government events immediately," it said.

Yesterday, the Prime Minister's Office again barred Malaysiakini from entering the building for a press event by Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

This was not the first time Malaysiakini was barred from PMO. It was previously barred twice in the space of two weeks last year.