CPI continues its series to mark World Press Freedom Day, highlighting the issues of concern to the nation that are related to media development and freedom of information. There is a positive trend among certain political leaders in freeing up the media even as other more entrenched parties try to muzzle the Press and narrow the access to information as well as confine the media coverage of national events such as State legislature meetings.
Meanwhile, the Selangor State Government has planned a forum titled “Freedom of Information: A Right to Reclaim???, inviting the public, especially Members of the Media and other Media practitioners Civil Society Organisations and individuals, to attend. ~~ Editor, CPI
| SELANGOR WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY
“Freedom of Information: A Right to Reclaim??? |
Date/Time: 9am – 1pm, Tuesday, 19th May 2009
Venue: Auditorium, Petaling Jaya Civic Centre, Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Background
World Press Freedom Day is celebrated globally on the 3rd of May each year to commemorate the importance press freedom plays in building a democratic society. Malaysia has not fared very positively in the World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders. In the latest 2008 index, Malaysia fell eight places to 132nd place, its worst ever ranking since. In 2006, it ranked at 92nd, 2007 at 124th and 2008 132nd.
Aside from press freedom, other correlated factors that contribute to the disintegration of democracy are social, economic and political decline, corruption and political hatred – which invariably contribute to the ability of the media to exercise and put into practice its freedom.
An extremely crucial element in promoting the culture of press freedom in any country is the concept of freedom of information. Where access to information becomes the fundamental principle, with only specific exceptions, this empowers citizens to keep governments accountable based on the information they have. The overall effect is positive, where bureaucracy is kept efficient, voters are kept informed, and reduces significantly the potential for corrupt practices.
The Selangor World Press Freedom Day is therefore held both to mark the significance of press freedom in reporting in a responsible, investigative and free manner; as well as to conduct a public consultation with a cross-section of stakeholders in society on its intended FOI Act. Discussions and feedback will be collated and duly considered when the Bill is tabled at the Selangor State Legislative Assembly.
Panelists in the panel discussion will include Dr. Lim Teck Ghee, Director, CPI.
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Written by Bernama
Published by Malaysian Insider
KUALA LUMPUR, May 3 – Two Malaysian reporters’ groups have asked Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak for a road map on media freedoms over the next two years, noting the Prime Minister has yet to take concrete steps to open up the press.
In commemorating World Press Freedom Day 2009 today, the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) and Writer Alliance for Media Independence (WAMI) said the road map on media freedom for democracy entails an immediate halt to any form of censorship of news, views and opinions, and to suspend the use of the licensing provision in the Printing Presses and Publications Act (PPPA) that gives the government arbitrary powers in deciding the terms for publications.
CIJ and WAMI also would like to remind governments that it is high time reforms are put in place involving media and access to information laws.
“We expect to see a road map presented to the public by August that contains plans and timelines for what will be done to reform the areas of media freedom and access to information. We want to know when, and not if, the government will begin its review of the laws that affect freedom of expression,??? CIJ executive director V. Gayathry said in a statement issued yesterday.
“Following this, by November, the government should table a bill to amend the Printing Presses and Publications Act and the Communications and Multimedia Act to provide for a one-time registration for media outlets and to reinstate/include judicial review of the Minister’s decision with regard to issuance of permit. At the same time Najib should first set up a Parliamentary Select Committee to review media laws,??? said Wong Chin Huat, who leads WAMI.
They both added that, despite the strong message delivered by voters in the Election 2008 to reject censorship and control of media and information by delivering a blow to Barisan Nasional, the ruling coalition has not taken any concrete steps to demonstrate its openness to change.
They cited the latest restriction on Internet media by the BN-led Perak government from its state assembly scheduled on the May 7, saying it was grossly inconsistent with the “1 Malaysia??? concept propounded by Najib.
“ We note, worryingly, that despite the rhetoric of openness in 1 Malaysia, the new PM administration is reversing the former PM Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s recognition of professionally-run Internet media by regularly restricting them from covering official functions,??? they said in the joint statement.
Both noted the federal government was “implicitly threatening bloggers and online commentators with the Communication and Multimedia Act and the Internal Security Act???, as Information Minister Datuk Seri Rais Yatim had said the ministry would take action with those laws against those who criticised the Perak Royal House online.
In their statement, The CIJ-WAMI declared the government should have the following road map:
DEADLINE: IMMEDIATE
No Censorship
Suspend the use of the licensing provision in the Printing Presses and Publications Act on newspapers and publications to demonstrate goodwill on the part of the ruling government to lessen its control and censorship of information and expression through the media.
In addition, the government should commit to no censorship of news, views and opinions in public fora, the broadcast media and online spaces.
DEADLINE: AUGUST 2009 (Three months)
Road Map on Reforms Presented to the Public
The Federal and State Governments should present their road map on reforms proposed in the area of promoting media freedom and citizen’s access to public information, to the public.
Talks of reforms are pointless if they are not supported by concrete steps and measures that the public can assess and measure the political parties against.
DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 2009 (Six months)
Amendments to the PPPA
Efforts are put in place to table amendments to the PPPA by the end of the year to provide that (a) all media outlets only need to register with the Ministry without printing licence or annual publishing permit; (b) and the judicial review is reinstated.
Setting up of a Parliamentary Select Committee on Media Law Reform
An Inter-Parliamentary Select Committee on Media Law Reform should be set up within the next six months that will monitor the state of freedom of information and expression in Malaysia and initiative a public participation process to review the laws that have a negativ impact on media freedom and freedom of expression.
Among others, the Select Committee can begin by reviewing laws such as the PPPA, the Official Secrets Act, Sedition Act and the Internal Security Act for repeal, amend laws such as the Communications and Multimedia Act, and enacting a Right to Information Law.
DEADLINE: MAY 2011 (One to two years)
Enactment of a Right to Information Law
Globally, over 80 countries have adopted the right to information law and Malaysia is not among the trend setters.
This law is imperative for any efforts to have good and clean governments and where the citizens can enjoy full acceess to public information. The enactment of the right to information law should also involve a thorough amendment or complete repeal of the Official Secrets Act.
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By The Star Online
3 May 2009
IPOH: All media organisations will be allowed to cover the proceedings of the Perak State Assembly sitting this Thursday.
The decision was made by Perak State Assembly Speaker V. Sivakumar in a statement issued here today.
He said media organisations were, however, required to submit written applications to the Speaker’s Office at Level 2, Bangunan Perak Darul Ridzuan from 9am tomorrow.
“I’ll issue the permission letters to the media organisations at my own discretion, as provided under the Perak State Assembly Standing Order 84,” he added.
Sivakumar said he was issuing the ruling to safeguard the principles of democracy and freedom of the press.
“There is no reason to bar any media organisations from covering the sitting. The people have the right to know the antics of their elected representatives during the State Assembly sitting,” he added.
Prior to this, the state Information Department, in a letter dated April 30, had said only 13 media organisations including major TV channels and newspapers would be allowed to cover the State Assembly sitting.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir is expected to call for a press conference tomorrow to clarify the matter. – Bernama