KUALA LUMPUR: Protection for media practitioners in the country must be put in place, urged the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) on World Press Freedom Day today.
It said the media was an essential instrument which contributes to the awareness and protection of human rights through its reporting, pushing relevant parties to respond and prevent occurrences of transgressions.
Suhakam said this year's theme "Journalism without Fear or Favour" highlighted the significance of respecting and protecting the right to freedom of opinion and expression.
"Journalists and media personnel are often first on the scene, at times putting their safety and security on the line.
"Throughout the Covid-19 Movement Restriction Order (MCO), the press and media played a pivotal role in reporting on accurate and updated information, while combating fake and false news which create paranoia and unnecessary anxiety, on a developing crisis.
"Protections need to be in place to allow journalists and independent producers to carry out their role, free from fear of intimidation, reprisals or retaliation," it said in a statement today.
The government, it said, should support the establishment of the Media Council, which aimed to improve and achieve a higher standard of journalism, while increasing public faith in mass media.
"Suhakam wishes to remind the Government on its promises to reform or abolish the aforementioned laws, which will enable the liberalisation of media and publications licensing.
"Apart from freedom to report, there should be an enabling environment for media to work effectively to serve public interest."
It noted that Malaysia had shown significant improvement in the World Press Freedom rank, jumping 22 places to 101 out of 108 countries and outranked other Asean countries, as reported by Reporters Without Borders last year.
Suhakam said Malaysia's score also dropped 3.62 points to 33.12, with a lower score indicating greater press freedom.
It added that while the progress was encouraging, more could be done to further enhance the role of press and media in Malaysia.
"Freedom of speech under Article 10(1) Federal Constitution is not absolute and may be restricted by law in the interest of preserving national security, public order or morality and international relations.
"Therein lies the challenge of regulating hate speech through the enforcement of various laws, such as, Sedition Act 1948, Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984, Section 505b Penal Code and Section 211 and 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
"Suhakam reiterates that equal access to information, assurances on freedom of the press and responsible journalism, and the realisation of an independent Media Council, will demonstrate Malaysia's commitment to meet the ideals of Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights."