Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and a coalition of journalists and NGOs have called on the Malaysian authorities to overturn the conviction in absentia of British investigative journalist Clare Rewcastle Brown, who was sentenced by a Malaysian court to two years in prison on a trumped-up charge of criminal defamation.
Kuala Lumpur: The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) has called for government-issued media accreditation cards to be phased out, saying the cards act as tools for censorship and restriction of media freedom.
Digital and Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil announced the long-awaited approval of a bill by the Malaysian cabinet to establish a self-regulating Malaysian Media Council (MMC) on February 21. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), and its affiliate, the National Union of Journalists Peninsular Malaysia (NUJM), welcome the decision, but urge authorities to ensure that the council is implemented with a mandate, resources, and due independence.
The Centre for Independent Journalism has listed recommendations for ensuring that the proposed Malaysian Media Council will be an "independent multistakeholder mechanism."
PETALING JAYA: The tabling of the Malaysian Media Council Bill must have a clear mandate for the council and definition of its role, says Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) executive director Wathshlah G. Naidu.