KUALA LUMPUR: THE government must look into laws that stifle press freedom if it wishes to create a conducive ecosystem for the media.
National Journalism Laureate Tan Sri Johan Jaaffar said it was high time the government reviewed the Printing Press and Publications Act 1984, which "is irrelevant in this day and age".
This, he said, was necessary for the government to fulfil its promise of press freedom.
"I was expecting Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to announce the abolishment of that particular act, which has been contentious whenever we talk about media freedom.
"From my perspective and many other journalists, it is not relevant anymore.
"I also see certain provisions in the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 that need to be reviewed," he told the New Straits Times.
Johan said the press should not be perceived as the government's spokesman, but rather as the eyes and ears of the people.
"It cannot be that when you are in the opposition, you want the press to be critical of the government.
"But when you are in the government, the press is perceived as your enemy. That is not the right thing to do."
Anwar, in his speech at the National Journalists Day celebration in Ipoh on Sunday, said the government was committed to protecting press freedom.
He said journalists should feel free to report the news in the new era even if it involved criticising the prime minister and the leadership.
Meanwhile, media consultant Dr Manimaran Govindasamy said media freedom changed over time when political parties were involved.
"The media in Malaysia used to enjoy this freedom after independence.
"Unfortunately, over time, due to changes in media ownership, it went under the control of political parties.
"This was followed by the enactment of laws that directly and indirectly eroded media freedom.
"Politicians and political parties can own the media, but don't let the real goals of the media be eroded.
"So I am sure that the prime minister will correct the situation."
However, he said, freedom of the press did not mean disregarding the laws, the Constitution as well as racial and religious sensitivity.
"That freedom is necessary and we can and should give it to media practitioners.
"It is up to the media how it practises it.
"The Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 is too broad as it covers magazines and books. We need to review the law to realise the prime minister's guarantee."
Journalism watchdog Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm) said the government's assurances of more press freedom should be followed by continuous commitment.
"These promises should be followed by a commitment to continue engagements with stakeholders towards self-regulation of the profession, as well as tabling amendments to restrictive laws.
"Anwar (in his speech) had urged journalists to refrain from self-censorship when reporting on critical issues, including of the government.
"It is important to note that among reasons for self-censorship include protection against direct or indirect threats."
Geramm quoted the Press Freedom Monitoring in Southeast Asia (pfmsea.org) regional monitoring project on repression and violations against the media, which saw the country having six cases in 2022.
National Union of Journalists Malaysia president Farah Mar-shita Abdul Patah said the government, in ensuring more press freedom, must walk the talk.
"Right now, we are only hearing the words from the government on the establishment of the Malaysian Media Council and not action. We need immediate action.
"We also want the government to do away with laws that stifle media freedom, such as the Official Secrets Act 1972 and Printing Press and Publications Act 1984."