NUJ urges govt to fast track media council amid Harakah debacle
The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has called on the government to expedite the establishment of the Malaysian Media Council.
This comes after the Information Department of the Communications and Digital Ministry revoked the media passes of Harakah reporters earlier this week.
“NUJ is of the view...
The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has called on the government to expedite the establishment of the Malaysian Media Council.
This comes after the Information Department of the Communications and Digital Ministry revoked the media passes of Harakah reporters earlier this week.
“NUJ is of the view that it would be better if the government expedited the establishment of the Malaysian Media Council to ensure that such incidents do not happen again and that the fate of media personnel is protected.
“The Communications and Digital Ministry should meet with the Information Department to review the revocation of the journalists’ media tags and the publication’s accreditation as it has impaired the democracy and freedom of press practised in Malaysia since its independence.
“We hope the Information Department has an explanation as to why this incident occurred,” said NUJ general-secretary Teh Athira Mohd Yusof.
Teh added that any action taken against false reporting by publications should be made according to the relevant laws.
On Nov 6, Harakah published an article quoting PAS ulama chief Ahmad Yahaya alleging that Putrajaya was hesitant over its stance on the Palestinian cause.
The publication also placed an Israeli flag behind Anwar’s photo in the article, which irked the prime minister for trying to link him with the Zionist regime.
Anwar took the matter to the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday where he lambasted Ahmad for “slandering” the government, and Harakah for publishing the photo.
The publication has since changed the photo it used in the article.
Harakah submitted an appeal over the revocation of its government-accredited media cards on Nov 8.
The following day, Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil said that the government was ready to “forgive” the publication and looked forward to its appeal letter.
