EIGHT senior journalists find it unacceptable that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is meddling with what online portals can and cannot publish. 

“Stop playing the ‘big brother’ role by injudiciously blocking media online content,” they said in a statement today. 

The journalists – Johan Jaaffar, A. Kadir Jasin, Hussamuddin Yaacob, Azman Ujang, Chamil Wariya, Yong Soo Heong, Zakaria Wahab, and G. Manimaran – said they strongly disapprove of any attempt to use state apparatus like MCMC to question, censor, or block portals and online news content. 

“The complaints by media practitioners that their sites have been blocked are on the rise. It is an unhealthy trend which must be stopped immediately. 

“We believe that the regulatory body has other priorities; blocking websites (of online portals) is not one of them.” 

They are also concerned that of late, media practitioners have been called by MCMC to explain content carried in their news portals and online sites. 

“What is more worrying is the fact that much of the so-labelled offending content were mere reports and opinion pieces deemed critical of the government. 

“We have seen how in previous governments, even the slightest complaint from the public or members of the ruling elite was acted upon swiftly, though unnecessarily.” 

They reminded the government that it came to power on a promise to allow unrestricted flow of information and a vibrant, free press. 

The journalists said while they understood that the Internet had become a messenger of hate and misinformation, “we believe media practitioners are disciplined individuals guided by professionalism and ethics”. 

“The uncontrollable social media realm is understandably a problem. We acknowledge that misinformation and fake news have reached crisis levels worldwide. 

“But we also believe in the role a free press should play in the country.” 

They said Putrajaya must ensure the creation of a proper ecosystem and conducive environment for media practitioners to work without fear or favour. – August 29, 2023.