Police use of reporters in investigations unacceptable

  • 9 years ago
Malaysiakini.com Bahasa Malaysia section editor, Fathi Aris Omar echoed the concern for media organisations that their journalists are increasingly being used as witnesses in Police investigations.

Fathi who represented Malaysiakini in submitting a four-point memorandum to Suhakam on Monday August 20th by NGOs said that it is one thing for video clips and recordings to be submitted as evidence in a public enquiry, but quite another for the police to use for their purposes.

The public could perceive that we are colluding with the police and if this perception persists, people would not want to be interviewed or are guarded at interviews, and this is another form of censorship, he says.

(In Janruary this year, Malaysiakini videographer, Shukri Mohammad was detained during a candlelight vigil in Petaling Jaya. He was clearly media and not part of the vigil but was taken in without warning by police. Malaysiakini's camera was retained by the police for days before being returned.)

Also present to submit the memorandum were representatives from Sisters in Islam, Empower, Suaram, Malaysiakini and other civil society groups.

The four-point memorandum:

1 Suhakam needs to take a stronger stand on media independence.

2 Suhakam needs to initiate and facilitate the establishment of a Parliamentary Select Committee on Media Law Reform.

3 Suhakam should push for the repeal of PPPA.

4 Suhakam should take steps to ensure the enactment of Freedom of Information Laws.

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