Improve governance, stop interfering media
Malaysia Information minister has told domestic newspapers not to quote from Internet blogs or use them as sources of information, accusing the websites of spreading rumours, reports said Wednesday.
Information Minister Zainuddin Maidin said most websites were aimed at being provocative and were run by frustrated journalists and political pundits, the Star daily reported.
"Do not quote them because you are disgracing yourself as you are the authority. Do not give credit to such anarchist websites," Zainuddin was quoted as saying.
Malaysia's media is kept under tight control, while blogs have seen an increase in popularity as Malaysians take to cyberspace to discuss politics and social issues.
Blogs run by Malaysians in recent months have alleged corruption by government figures in writings that later sparked mainstream news reports.
"The information posted on the blog website may be something provocative, politically motivated, inaccurate and is mostly rumour floated for the interests of certain parties," Zainuddin was quoted as saying by the state Bernama news agency.
The minister also called on Malaysians to regard blogs with suspicion and refer to the mainstream media for the truth, Bernama reported.
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi earlier this year accused Malaysians of using the Internet to rumour-monger.
Two bloggers are currently being sued by the government-linked New Straits Times Press for defamation.
In a statement posted on March 21 on the Ministry's official website, the Minister urged the mainstream press not publish information from the Internet, especially blogs. Calling blogs' content as provocative, inaccurate and politically motivated, he said journalists who quoted them are indirectly promoting and giving blogs undeserved credit.
The minister also asked the public to refer to the mainstream press for credible information.
His statement came after the Ministry of Internal Security, headed by the Prime Minister himself, issued a similar warning to all mainstream press on March 13, as reported by the online news site Malaysiakini.com and The Sun daily.
CIJ condemns the government's warnings which smack of political desire to gag the press. In an environment where the media is subject to administrative and legislative controls, there is little confidence in information from the "authoritative sources".The people's desire to know reflects the obvious weakness in the media system in Malaysia caused by an interfering Executive. That the warnings came amidst investigation of a high-profile corruption case, which first broke out in the blogosphere, reinforces the impression that the government has an agenda to limit public discussion and control public opinion.
CIJ calls the government to terminate the warnings, repeal the Printing Presses and Publication Act 1984 and set up a Parliamentary Select Committee on communication rights to uphold its promises and guarantee in Federal Constitution for freedom of expression.
The Centre for Independent Journalism, Malaysia (CIJ) is a media organization that aims to improve current Malaysian journalism practice and independence through advocacy, research and analysis, training and practical work. Started in 2001, CIJ has initiated various projects in developing grassroots communications skills through training, infrastructural support and direct action.
Issued by
Sonia Randhawa
Executive Director
Related News :
Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) - Official admits to checking media over "sensitive issues"; press warned from citing "unverified" online information.
Read here.
Aliran : Blogging for change
Susan Loone : Another ‘dimwit’ minister on the loose
Rocky : Zam on dignifying bloggers
Khoo Kay Peng : Zam Catches Foot in the Mouth Disease Again
Marina M : Be scared, Zam, be really scared...
The Sydney Morning Herald. : Don't trust blogs, Malaysain minister tells press
Information Minister Zainuddin Maidin said most websites were aimed at being provocative and were run by frustrated journalists and political pundits, the Star daily reported.
"Do not quote them because you are disgracing yourself as you are the authority. Do not give credit to such anarchist websites," Zainuddin was quoted as saying.
Malaysia's media is kept under tight control, while blogs have seen an increase in popularity as Malaysians take to cyberspace to discuss politics and social issues.
Blogs run by Malaysians in recent months have alleged corruption by government figures in writings that later sparked mainstream news reports.
"The information posted on the blog website may be something provocative, politically motivated, inaccurate and is mostly rumour floated for the interests of certain parties," Zainuddin was quoted as saying by the state Bernama news agency.
The minister also called on Malaysians to regard blogs with suspicion and refer to the mainstream media for the truth, Bernama reported.
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi earlier this year accused Malaysians of using the Internet to rumour-monger.
Two bloggers are currently being sued by the government-linked New Straits Times Press for defamation.
************************
The government has within a week given a second warning to the mainstream media that they must not cross the boundary set by the government. The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) condemns the call by the Information Minister Zainuddin Maidin to the media not to quote from blogs and online portals. The minister's call is a further bite into editorial independence and to compel the media to toe the government's line.In a statement posted on March 21 on the Ministry's official website, the Minister urged the mainstream press not publish information from the Internet, especially blogs. Calling blogs' content as provocative, inaccurate and politically motivated, he said journalists who quoted them are indirectly promoting and giving blogs undeserved credit.
The minister also asked the public to refer to the mainstream press for credible information.
His statement came after the Ministry of Internal Security, headed by the Prime Minister himself, issued a similar warning to all mainstream press on March 13, as reported by the online news site Malaysiakini.com and The Sun daily.
CIJ condemns the government's warnings which smack of political desire to gag the press. In an environment where the media is subject to administrative and legislative controls, there is little confidence in information from the "authoritative sources".The people's desire to know reflects the obvious weakness in the media system in Malaysia caused by an interfering Executive. That the warnings came amidst investigation of a high-profile corruption case, which first broke out in the blogosphere, reinforces the impression that the government has an agenda to limit public discussion and control public opinion.
CIJ calls the government to terminate the warnings, repeal the Printing Presses and Publication Act 1984 and set up a Parliamentary Select Committee on communication rights to uphold its promises and guarantee in Federal Constitution for freedom of expression.
The Centre for Independent Journalism, Malaysia (CIJ) is a media organization that aims to improve current Malaysian journalism practice and independence through advocacy, research and analysis, training and practical work. Started in 2001, CIJ has initiated various projects in developing grassroots communications skills through training, infrastructural support and direct action.
Issued by
Sonia Randhawa
Executive Director
Related News :
Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) - Official admits to checking media over "sensitive issues"; press warned from citing "unverified" online information.
Read here.
Aliran : Blogging for change
Susan Loone : Another ‘dimwit’ minister on the loose
Rocky : Zam on dignifying bloggers
Khoo Kay Peng : Zam Catches Foot in the Mouth Disease Again
Marina M : Be scared, Zam, be really scared...
The Sydney Morning Herald. : Don't trust blogs, Malaysain minister tells press
Labels: Malaysia news
posted by Ah Yun Wong at
9:56 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home