PETALING JAYA: The issuance of media cards is not akin to licensing for professions like doctors or lawyers, says the Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.
However, Fahmi said media cards were issued by the Information Department (JaPen) specifically to facilitate journalists' access to and coverage of government events.
"You do not need a media card to work or function as a journalist.
"This is not akin to being called to the bar… and we do not have any specific act that allows or licences a journalist to report.
"These cards are not professional licences like those for lawyers or doctors," he said when met by reporters after the launch of CelcomDigi Digital Healthcare Solutions here today.
Meanwhile, he said the issue of validity adjustment was still under consideration by JaPen, and further announcements will be made soon.
"Although the short-term card scheme has not yet been implemented, for any media cards that have been issued, which come with a specified duration, such as six months, once they expire, journalists can reapply.
"We (the ministry) will review and facilitate this process," he said.
Earlier, the Information Department said it was adjusting the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) related to the issuance of media cards.
The department said in a statement, that the adjustments included the media card's validity period.
Meanwhile, he said the media card also did not grant journalists free rein to abuse them.
He claimed to have an encounter with a reporter from an online media organisation who was using a media card from a defunct company.
Fahmi said this incident was one of the factors prompting JaPen to review adjustments, including the validity period of media cards.
However, he stressed that the adjustment was not intended to restrict freedom of speech among media practitioners.
"During the relaunch of the updated Journalist Code of Ethics by the Malaysian Press Institute (MPI), I received feedback from various parties, including the Correspondents Club, regarding the validity period of media accreditation cards.
"I had requested for the relevant authorities to re-examine certain matters… and several aspects have been requested for review and are currently being coordinated," he said.
Reflecting on his advocacy for journalists' welfare before becoming a minister, Fahmi said he had also stood in solidarity with organisations like Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm).
"I hope media colleagues, including veterans, understand our efforts to facilitate and update processes, ensuring that journalists can perform their duties effectively while also prioritising welfare considerations.
"For instance, out of the 6,000 to 8,000 registered journalists with JaPen applying for media accreditation cards, we have identified 215 freelancers, stringers, part-time journalists, and columnists," he mentioned.
Furthermore, Fahmi said that the ministry had provided the information of all 215 journalists to the Social Security Organisation (Socso) to ensure their social security coverage while working.