KUALA LUMPUR: All media agencies must be allowed to be in Parliament on May 18 to cover the Dewan Rakyat sitting.
Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm) said it regretted Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Mohamad Ariff Mohd Yusof's instruction that only government-owned media, RTM and Bernama, would be allowed to cover the sitting.
"We would like to seek the Speaker's consideration to revoke the instruction, thus allowing all media agencies to be in parliament for coverage on that day.
"This is as we believe there is no clear need for such a restriction to be issued.
"Instead, all media personnel on duty can abide by the Health Ministry's standard operating procedures to prevent Covid-19 infections," it said in a statement posted on Facebook today.
This, Geramm said, is in line with Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob's call for self-regulation after the Movement Control Order is lifted.
The group said it believes that all media practitioners have been and would continue to take similar measures.
"It is highly regrettable that once again prevention of Covid-19 infections was used as an excuse to prevent the media from carrying out our duties, although the MCO is expected to be lifted before the parliament is in session.
"Geramm reiterates our stand to reject 'new norms' that further impinges on press freedom in Malaysia."
Following the parliament proceedings via live stream is inadequate to produce accurate and balanced news, Geramm explained.
The duty of a journalist, it said, goes beyond being a stenographer who merely reproduced what has been said, to also raise further questions that require immediate answers.
"Just as the media respectfully views the parliament as a key pillar of the country, we urge that a similar recognition is given to the media's role as the fourth estate in a democracy.
"It must be understood that the larger public interest being represented in a situation - in this case, the expected tabling of four motions and two Covid-19 related draft Bills - there is also a larger need for media to be present.
"Therefore, we believe due consideration to allow other than government-owned media is reasonable to ensure a healthy democracy in the country." it added.