THE CONTROVERSY surrounding new conditions imposed on the government’s media card for journalists, including changes to its validity period, is being ironed out and a solution will be announced soon, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil assured today.
He said that the Information Department, which issues the card, is looking into its validity period for media members in all organisations according to several standard operating procedures.
Fahmi said this is because several contract journalists, who have signed to work in media companies for a limited time based on their contract signed, need to have a different validity period.
“This is still under consideration by the department and, God willing, in a not too long time we will provide a follow-up announcement on this issue,” he was quoted as saying by Bernama when met by reporters at a function in Kuala Lumpur.
Yesterday, the department had announced in a statement that it was coordinating the SOPs for the media card, including in relation to the validity period.
It reportedly said that it would also take into account the Malaysian Code of Ethics for Journalists launched by Fahmi on February 20.
In a statement yesterday, the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) Peninsular Malaysia had expressed concern at the different validity period granted to online journalists.
It called on the ministry to consider reverting to the standard two-year period of validity when issuing media cards for all media practitioners without prejudice.
It also urged for more transparency from the ministry on its plans for the media tag in the review.
“Such an action by the ministry would only hinder journalists from carrying out their duties at government facilities that require them to present the media tags upon entry,” said general secretary Teh Athira Mohd Yusof on behalf of the NUJ executive committee.
“In its promise to expand the media industry to be more inclusive, this action by the ministry is seen as a step back.
“We are making this call to ensure the welfare of the journalists are protected when they are carrying out their duties as the fourth estate,” Teh Athira said.
The NUJ also reminded the government that it had promised to review and repeal the Printing Presses and Publications Act (PPPA) and to form a Media Council, which the union hopes will be done soon.
“It seems like the more we ask for press freedom, the more they try to control and take it back in other ways,” Teh Athira stressed.
Commenting further on the matter today, Fahmi stressed that media practitioners can still renew cards that have expired as usual.
He also said that the new policies regarding the card are not intended to restrict the freedom of expression of media practitioners.
He said the card is not like a “licence” which media workers must have to practise journalism, and not having one does not prevent them from reporting.
It is intended to facilitate journalists to cover official government events and programmes, he said.
Fahmi also announced that the Information Department has submitted the names of 215 part-time journalists or “stringers” to the Social Security Organisation (Socso) and an announcement on according them relevant protection will be made soon. – The Vibes, March 6, 2024
