MMC The Best Mechanism To Protect Journalists' Rights, Professionalism

KOTA KINABALU, March 2 (Bernama) -- The formation of the Malaysian Media Council (MMC) following the approval of the Malaysian Media Council Bill 2024 by the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (Feb 26) is an essential step towards protecting journalists' rights and enhancing the media industry's professionalism.

Editors and academics in Sabah are of the view that MMC is vital for enhancing journalism ethics and practices nationwide while promoting the media industry's growth, particularly in the East Malaysian state.

Utusan Borneo Sabah editor-in-chief Datuk Lichong Angkui said the MMC can protect journalists from unfair legal actions while they carry out their duties.

"There is no denying that journalists frequently face safety risks, legal threats, and harassment while carrying out their duties. In this context, MMC can offer a framework to safeguard journalists' rights, including protecting confidential sources that should remain undisclosed," he told Bernama.

Lichong, who is also a member of the Council of Administrators of Ikatan Setiakawan Wartawan Malaysia-Indonesia (ISWAMI), said that MMC will serve as a platform to nurture, promote, and reinforce journalism ethics and professionalism in the local media industry.

He is optimistic that MMC will contribute to the government's initiatives to enhance digital and social media, which is rapidly evolving. Therefore, he hopes equal attention will be given to digital media platforms alongside traditional media such as newspapers.

Daily Express editor-in-chief Datuk James Sarda said the MMC is long overdue. Had it been established earlier, it could have helped resolve many situations where media outlets faced misunderstandings with the authorities regarding their roles.

"In my view, journalists are to blame for the delay, because we are unable to agree on the terms of reference or funding, even though its establishment is carried out through Parliament. It's important to remember that the media is recognised as the fourth estate, serving a watchdog role alongside the legislature, executive, and judiciary," he said.

He acknowledged the commendable effort of the MADANI government in establishing the MMC. However, he said the council should act as a neutral arbiter when addressing grievances from its members, the public, and the government.

The member of the Board of Governors for the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) also hoped that Sabah and Sarawak would have individual representatives in the MMC instead of being represented under a single individual for East Malaysia.

“The issues in Sabah and Sarawak differ significantly from those in Peninsular Malaysia. Some concerns may be specific to either Sabah or Sarawak," he added.

Meanwhile, Dr Haryati Abdul Karim, senior lecturer at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), said the MMC would enhance journalism standards, leading to more effective news delivery to the public.

"It will ensure that news reporting in Sabah is more objective and maintains integrity, focusing on public concerns rather than purely political issues," she said.

Another senior lecturer from the faculty, Dr Intan Soliha Ibrahim, believes the formation of MMC is a comprehensive approach to ensure that media professionals adhere to journalism ethics, which are often neglected.

"Through this approach, I believe that misleading information in news reports can be addressed, ensuring that the actual message reaches the public clearly," she said.

UMS Assoc Prof Dr Lee Kuok Tiung emphasised the importance of having representatives from Sabah and Sarawak in MMC to adequately represent the voices and interests of media practitioners in these states.

He said this would eliminate the perception that MMC is influenced by specific interests or pressures, ensuring that the public receives authentic and reliable information.

-- BERNAMA

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