KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has denied his government's involvement in alleged political interference in the media.
While reiterating his commitment to press freedom, he said Putrajaya would not meddle in news affairs as long as the published reports carried the truth.
He said this when asked about alleged political intervention in the appointment of the New Straits Times's new group editor which was announced yesterday.
"Who meddled? Usually if there's political meddling, it (refers) to the government but we (the current administration) have never interfered in such matters.
"I have said the media has freedom. We give absolute freedom to the media as long as the reports made are the truth and responsible.
"As long as the reports are accurate, not slanderous and are responsible, the government has no problem with this. If it doesn't violate the law, there is no issue."
Ismail Sabri said this to reporters after attending the Malaysia Pavilion Dubai Expo 2020 Appreciation Ceremony here tonight.
When asked to respond to statements by press groups on yesterday's report claiming political interference in NST, Ismail Sabri declined comment.
He was also asked to comment about former editor at The Edge, Azam Aris, who had been charged with criminal defamation under Section 500 of Penal Code in relation to two articles published during his watch.
"I have not yet read the news on the matter, I will only comment once I have full information on those issues.
"Not fair for me to comment on matters that I do not have full information. Let me check."
This was in relation to statements issued by the National Union of Journalist Malaysia (NUJM) and Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm) today, expressing concern over the sudden removal of NST's present group editor Ahmad Lokman Mansor, allegedly due to political interference.