Kuala Lumpur: Communications and digital minister Fahmi Fadzil has defended the media’s right to do source stories and protect their sources’ identities.
Fahmi, who was asked by Shahidan Kassim (PN-Arau) if the government had any plans to ban media outlets from publishing stories based on sources, said there were no such restrictions on the media as long as their reports are not defamatory.
“We also take note that journalists have the right to protect their sources’ identity, but this has to be weighed against the issue of defamation,” he said.
“As an example, television channel Awesome TV reported that based on a source or suggestion, the government plans to dismiss 800,000 civil servants. This is clearly defamatory.”
He added that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) will be meeting with the channel’s officials today.
While he did not provide any specific examples, Fahmi also touched on the issue of “unethical journalism”, citing media reports where the headlines were not in line with the content.
“Journalists should be firm in the principles and ethics of journalism by only reporting accurate and authentic news in accordance with the law. Any incorrect information must be corrected immediately with notification of the error (errata),” he said.
“The ministry has plans to amend the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (CMA). However, it would only be to strengthen the regulatory framework, not to restrict freedom of expression.”
In the Dewan Rakyat earlier today, Shahidan highlighted how media outlets published stories based on sources who wished to remain anonymous.
The Arau MP said there were ministers who provided journalists with accurate information but do not want to go on record.
“Why don’t we set a condition that the word ‘source’ cannot be used?,” he asked. “Why don’t we restrict stories based on sources?”
