KUALA LUMPUR: Media advocacy groups have demanded that the Dewan Rakyat remove its ruling to only permit 16 media agencies to cover the upcoming Parliament sitting which begins on Sept 13.
Expressing disappointment with the move, The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), Gerakan Media Merdeka (GERAMM) and the National Union of Journalists of Malaysia (NUJM) called for fair and equal media access to in-house parliamentary proceedings at all times, especially during times of crisis.
"We demand the restrictions be immediately lifted to protect the rights of the media and create an enabling and safe environment for the media to fulfil their role without discriminatory restrictions and interference.
"Almost two years into the Covid-19 pandemic, the issue of unequal access for media coverage remains unresolved. Media organisations should be given the freedom to cover Parliament's proceedings once it resumes from Sept 13 to Oct 12.
"Any move to restrict coverage from media organisations is detrimental to press freedom, especially at a time when the top leadership are talking about institutional reforms and good governance.
"This is similar to what happened during the last Parliament sitting in October last year, with only minor changes to the permitted list of media," said the groups in a joint statement today.
Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun had said in a statement yesterday that only 16 media agencies were allowed to cover the upcoming sitting from inside Parliament grounds, with no reasons given for the arbitrary move.
The New Straits Times is among many media companies denied entry into Parliament grounds for the upcoming sitting.
The groups had called for Azhar to explain the reasons on why selected media companies are specifically not allowed to physically cover the proceedings.
They said Azhar's statement made no reference as to how the selection for permitted media outlets was conducted, raising questions on the double standards and transparency of the process.
"They need to justify their reasons by allowing access to selected media and for fairness, should only allow coverage for official media instead. In many cases, the authorities, government or organisers appear to undermine the role of the media as the fourth estate, who is crucial in ensuring a healthy democracy.
"This is clear as authorities continue to impose undue restrictions that fail to consider not only the needs of media personnel but the bigger role of free press.
"Since then, there have been various examples of undue restrictions that support our call towards self-regulation of the media, where media practitioners will have a say to determine important decisions affecting its operations and an overall free press," said the groups.