THE media must stick to factually correct reporting, Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil said warning that there is no free pass for reports that are slanderous and erroneous.

“While we have freedom of the press, freedom of speech, freedom of expression, it does not mean we have a free pass to slander, to defame or write wrong or factually incorrect reports.

“Freedom of the press is very important to the government.

“At the same time, being factually correct is also very important. There were some public complaints that were extended to me, but not only to myself, with regard to some reports,” he said at the press conference after attending the Malaysia Digital Expo 2023 media launch.

He said there were examples of misreporting during the recent state elections.

He was responding to questions about recent criticism of orders from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) – an agency under his purview – to a news portal to change or remove reports pertaining to a ruckus in the Dewan Rakyat.

Fahmi said he had yet to receive a briefing from MCMC regarding the matter.

“I believe the MCMC follows the law and whatever it does is within the boundaries of the law.

“It does not refer everything to me before it takes any action. In fact, sometimes (the action is taken in) in conjunction with investigations (together) with the police or (following) public complaints that it has received,” he said.

The minister hoped the Malaysian Media Council could help address media-related issues.

“Perhaps the Malaysian Media Council would be a good avenue to mitigate, discuss and resolve a number of these issues.

“We hope that by next year, we can bring the bill (to set up the council) to parliament and pass the law so that there can be better facilitation for the media.

“I value the feedback from members of the media, and we will examine how we can enhance collaboration between agencies like the MCMC and the press, taking into account the foresight and wisdom of veterans, as we move towards better self-regulation,” he said.

In recent months, Fahmi and the MCMC have come under constant criticism over actions against several news agencies and social media accounts that are critical of the government. – AFP, September 25, 2023.