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.
Mike Miz, a member of the National Union of Journalists Peninsular Malaysia (NUJM), attended an IFJ-led training of trainers in Malacca, Malaysia in February, focused on enabling a new generation of leaders to build a strong and active union membership. He describes his experience and plans to continue to strengthen the union into the future.
Media organisations, unions, and press freedom groups have raised concerns at a revised Code of Ethics for Journalists, launched by Malaysian Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil on February 20, which could be used to extend government control over the functioning of the media and restrict press freedom. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate, the National Union of Journalists Peninsular Malaysia (NUJM), in urging the Malaysian government to allow a free and independent media with a code of ethics developed and administered by the media industry.
On November 7, Malaysian authorities revoked the press passes of journalists with the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS)-affiliated news services Harakah and Harakah Daily. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its affiliate, the National Union of Journalists Peninsular Malaysia (NUJM), urge authorities to reinstate the journalists’ accreditation and to resolve reporting disputes appropriately and with transparency.
Malaysian online news portals UtusanTV and MalaysiaNow have been blocked by authorities ahead of critical state elections. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its affiliate, the National Union of Journalists Peninsular Malaysia (NUJM) condemn the media controls and urge the country’s media authorities to respect press freedom.