Recently, the government through the Communications Ministry launched a new Malaysian Code of Ethics for Journalists, revamping the previous version which was made some 35 years ago in 1989.
Taking to Facebook, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil elaborated that the code of ethics is an official document for the purposes of issuing and cancelling media certification cards.
He added that he had never compromised on the freedom of media, stressing that such freedoms must be given to all press in a democratic country. Accordingly, the revamped code of ethics was made with the involvement of representatives of journalists and media organisations.
Furthermore, the government has also compared the journalists’ ethics codes from different Asian countries such as Singapore, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Japan and South Korea to come up with the best solution.
Met with criticism from some Malaysian media practitioners
However, the launch of the new ethics code was met with some backlash online, especially from some media practitioners who claimed that it could be used to silence critics or censor the press.
More so, given that under the new code of ethics, the Malaysian Information Department (Japen), which is under the purview of the Communications Ministry, has the power to cancel or retract a journalist’s accreditation card.
The new code of ethics was co-developed with media practitioners
Responding to these concerns, Fahmi took to social media to allay fears of the government potentially misusing the new code of ethics.
The Communications Minister dismissed claims of the government purportedly trying to control the media, saying that such allegations are not true and that the Malaysian Code of Ethics for Journalists has been around for 35 years.
He added that the new version is the same code of ethics but with added improvements after discussion with media practitioners. In fact, the new code of ethics was jointly developed with Japen, MPI, the National Union of Journalists Malaysia (NUJM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and more.
You can watch the video of Fahmi elaborating on the matter here:
Kali terakhir Kod Etika untuk wartawan digubal adalah pada tahun 1989. Ini bermakna, akta sedia ada tidak merangkumi aspek laporan dalam talian.
Selepas 35 tahun menggunakan Kod Etika lama, hari ini saya melancarkan Kod Etika Wartawan Malaysia yang baharu. pic.twitter.com/cGa7JXdf5W
— Fahmi Fadzil ?? (@fahmi_fadzil) February 20, 2024
So, what do you guys think of the whole situation? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
