Kota Kinabalu: Registered media must be given priority to cover press conferences to ensure accurate reporting, the Sabah Journalists Association (SJA) said Tuesday amid coverage concerns, especially those involving the Zara Qairina Mahathir case.
SJA President Mariah Doksil said untrained individuals had disrupted official coverage of the Zara Qairina case by entering media zones and later monetising livestreams meant for public information.
She said SJA also noted that false claims, such as misreporting of legal proceedings, have been spread by unverified sources, reinforcing the need for press conference access to prioritise registered media.
“This undermines journalistic work, media ethics and creates confusion. We call for stricter enforcement to protect working journalists.
“SJA urges authorities to enforce access control in sensitive areas like courts and prohibit recordings were not allowed to avoid compromising media access,” she said in a statement, Tuesday.
Mariah said SJA also expressed serious concern following reports of harassment during a recent inquest press conference, where an unidentified individual blended into the mainstream media area.
According to the association, two female journalists reported feeling unsafe when the individual stood uncomfortably close to them.
“SJA also called on all parties to respect journalistic standards and legal boundaries, emphasising that responsible reporting, not sensationalism, best serves public interest and justice,” she said.
On Monday, the Kota Kinabalu Coroner’s Court set Sept 3 for the start of the inquest into Zara Qairina’s death.
On the same day, Attorney-General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar said five minors would be charged at the Kota Kinabalu Children’s Court today (Wednesday) in connection with the bullying case.
