THE government will not place any curbs on the media even if their reports might be critical of the government, Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said today.

“They can criticise but they should also be ethical and know their social responsibility. Their criticism must be based on facts,” she said at a high-tea event with the media in Cyberjaya.

Dr Wan Azizah said she understands the challenges the media faces  in delivering news to the people.

In the run-up to last year’s general election, Pakatan Harapan had strongly supported the establishment of the Malaysian Media Council, which is seen to be in line with the government’s principle of championing media freedom.

The council is to be an independent body unfettered by the government, and whose members are to be drawn from the media industry and various civil society and rights groups.

Dr Wan Azizah in her address also appealed to the media to work with the government to meet the high expectations the people have of PH.

“Nearly a year after the change of government, the euphoria and excitement over the change has dissipated,” she said.

But the hopes of the people can be achieved, she said, if there is cooperation. – April 21, 2019.