KUALA LUMPUR: A government backbencher from Pakatan Harapan said the confidentiality of sources is one of the key pillars in journalism.
Bangi MP Syahredzan Johan said even the judiciary has recognised the media practitioner's right to protect the confidentiality of their sources.
Such confidentiality is crucial for the media to perform their responsibility as a check and balance against wrongdoings since it was part of the journalistic code of ethics worldwide.
"Journalists have a responsibility to protect the confidentiality of the sources referenced in their reports.
"It is inappropriate for any party to use criminal legal provisions to compel or pressure journalists to reveal their sources.
"I urge all parties, including the police and the government, to uphold the rights of journalists and respect the role of the media in our country," Syahredzan said in a statement.
The DAP's Central Executive Committee member said there was a need for media practitioners to be responsible with their published materials but the right to protect the confidentiality of sources should not be denied.
Earlier today, Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm) and the National Union of Journalists Malaysia (NUJM) strongly opposed any actions that could jeopardise journalists' ability to safeguard the confidentiality of anonymous sources.
In a joint statement, both Geramm and NUJM said any news should not be dismissed just because they cited anonymous sources.
Yesterday, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil urged journalists to help the police with investigations concerning their sources.
While acknowledging the media's right to protect whistleblowers, Fahmi underscored that existing laws still applied and encouraged full cooperation from media personnel.
He said this in response to a question on what the media should do if there was a police probe to find out about sources.
On Tuesday, the police opened investigations into an article published by a portal claiming that there would be a major reshuffle of Bukit Aman's top brass.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa said a report on the matter was lodged with the police.
Investigations had begun under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act for making statements with the intent to cause fear or alarm among the public and for inducing any person to commit an offence against the state or public tranquillity, as well as misusing network facilities, respectively.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain dismissed the reshuffle claims.