Walk for Press Freedom axed but event to proceed
By Syed Jaymal Zahiid, Malaysiakini
May 30, 08 7:03pm
The planned Walk for Press Freedom has been cancelled two days shy of it happening but the meeting between the press and the de facto law minister will proceed.
Journalists from various media organisations were expected to march from Dataran Merdeka to the nearby National Press Club at Jalan Tangsi on Sunday – a distance of about one kilometer.
“Please take note that we are not gathering at Dataran Merdeka to walk to the NPC,” said walk organiser Benar on its website.
The dialogue between the press and de facto law minister Zaid Ibrahim at the club will however go on as scheduled. Zaid is expected to speak on media freedom, ethics and accountability.
According to V Gayathry, executive director of Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) who are co-organisers of the event, the reasons for the about-turn were security and traffic.
Avoid untoward incidents
According to chief inspector W Kharthikeyan of Dang Wangi police station, the walk could disrupt the smooth flow of traffic in the area.
Gayathry added that some journalists and editors were also concerned that the march might be seen as an illegal gathering.
It is learnt that the organisers had earlier sent a letter to the police informing them of the walk. The police later met with the organisers and advised them to cancel the march.
Gayathry explained that the organisers had no intention to turn the event into a confrontation with the police, and at a meeting last night they decided against the walk.
The event is organised by Benar, a civil society initiative established to campaign for press freedom in the country.
The axed walk hoped to draw a crowd of 150 supporters.
Benar calls for free, fair and ethical media encompassing broadcast, print and online media. It is petitioning the government for a Freedom of Information Act.
The group was launched whilst commemorating World Press Freedom Day on May 3 this year.