More MPs speak up against media limit on Parliament coverage
Several more parliamentarians have spoken up against increased media restrictions on coverage of the upcoming Parliament session from Nov 2 to Dec 23.
Among them are Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman and Petaling Jaya MP Maria Chin, who separately urged Parliament administrators to remove the 15 media organisations limit put in place on grounds of compliance with Covid-19 prevention procedures...
Several more parliamentarians have spoken up against increased media restrictions on coverage of the upcoming Parliament session from Nov 2 to Dec 23.
Among them are Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman and Petaling Jaya MP Maria Chin Abdullah, who separately urged Parliament administrators to remove the 15 media organisations limit put in place on grounds of compliance with Covid-19 prevention procedures.
"Only 15 media outlets are allowed. This is a small number compared to the real number of media organisations in the country," Syed Saddiq said on Facebook.
The Muda founder said it was unreasonable to impose such a limitation, given the importance of the sitting which will also see the tabling of Budget 2021 on Nov 6.
"To me, this is unreasonable. Media organisations such as BFM, The Edge, Malaysiakini, Malay Mail and Free Malaysia Today must also be given permission to freely carry out their coverage in the Dewan Rakyat.
"The media freedom to carry out this coverage is also for the people. We all have a right to get timely information and the latest news freely and transparently without any restrictions," he added.
While noting the threat of Covid-19 infections, Syed Saddiq encouraged Parliament administrators to facilitate more media coverage, rather than impose undue restrictions.
"Do not differentiate who can cover the Dewan Rakyat and who can't," he added.
Similarly, Maria said the role of the media in Parliament is not only to cover the debates but also to interview ministers and MPs, and the varied functions could not be carried out effectively without their presence.
"Therefore, limiting media organisations' entry into Parliament denies the public access to a plethora of news and views offered by our vibrant and diverse media.
"We must always be reminded that a free press contributes towards the right of freedom of expression, thought and conscience, strengthening the accountability and responsiveness of the government towards its citizens," she said.
"Most importantly, the Parliament House cannot and must not be the institution to restrict freedom of the media as it is the bastion of parliamentary democracy."
"It is this very restriction imposed to adhere to the standard operating procedure (SOP) that will, in turn, cause greater abuse by the government on press freedom," she added.
Their statements today echoed earlier calls made by Teluk Intan MP Nga Kor Ming and Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil, among others.
Earlier today, press freedom groups Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) and Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm) had also issued separate statements rejecting the restrictions.
Parliament administrators ruled yesterday that only 15 media organisations are allowed to cover the sitting to curb the spread of Covid-19 and fulfil SOPs set by the authorities.
Each approved media organisation is only allowed one reporter, and either a photographer or videographer. They must also undergo an RT-PCR test on Oct 30 and present the results on Nov 2.
None of the online-only news outlets, including Malaysiakini, made it on the list.
