On March 5, multiple journalists from Malaysian digital media organisations, including online news portals Malaysiakini and Twentytwo13, received media accreditation cards with significantly shortened periods of validity, between six months to one year. The cards, issued by Malaysia’s Information Department (JaPen), have a standard two-year validity for local media, with the shorter duration in contradiction to the policy stated on its own website.
Malaysiakini found that online media staff employed on both contract and permanent bases who had applied to register or renew their accreditation had been affected, with print media journalists applying in the same period receiving cards valid for the standard two years.
In response to concerns from media stakeholders, Digital and Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil issued a statement on March 6 confirming that JaPen is in the process of updating its standard operating procedures for the issuance and validity of the press cards. He said the card is not a license required to practice journalism but makes it easier for journalists to access official government events.
“I hope media colleagues can help clarify that this is not like a medical licence to practise. It’s not a professional body like (those of) lawyers, architects, or doctors where a licence is needed to work in that field,” Fadzil said.
The minister added that the changes applying solely to digital media workers were based on a recent encounter with a reporter whose accreditation card was attributed to an online media organisation that is no longer functioning. He said, “We have to consider, especially within the online media ecosystem, whether (to issue media accreditation cards) and how to go about it.”
Fadzil’s comments were condemned by Malaysian United Indigenous Party (Bersatu) Information Chief Razali Idris, who said, “Media practitioners are aware that the government-issued press accreditation cards are to facilitate their movement freely without any professional restrictions. The question at hand here is about tightening rules for obtaining media cards, shortening the renewal period, and controlling media personnel with mainstream or online news organisations - all of which look like efforts to restrict media freedom.”
Teh Athira Moh Yusof, General Secretary of the NUJM, said while NUJM members with the accreditation have been granted access to most official events, the union has noted the card does not guarantee this. We hope the review will provide better access to all media, both traditional and new to carry out their duties as the fourth estate,” said NUJM.
The changes to the cards’ validity come two weeks after media organisations, unions, and press freedom groups raised concerns at a revised Code of Ethics for Journalists, launchedon February 20, which could be used to extend government control and political interference over the functioning of the media and restrict press freedom.
The NUJM, among other media organisations and press freedom bodies, has continued to call for the swift introduction of the independent, self-regulating Malaysian Media Council (MMC), with Fadzil announcing the Malaysian cabinet’s approval of a long-awaited bill establishing the MMC on February 21.
The NUJM said: “NUJM calls on the ministry to reconsider reverting to the standard two-year period of validity when issuing media cards for all media practitioners without prejudice. We hope there will be more transparency from the ministry on its plans for the media tag after the review has been conducted. In its promise to expand the media industry to be more inclusive, this action by the ministry is seen as a step back.”
The IFJ said: “The Malaysian government must cease its overreach into the functioning of the country’s media and its obstruction of press freedom. Arbitrary restrictions on journalists’ accreditation in Malaysia’s expanding digital media sector are clear attempts to control the press and reporting on government issues. The IFJ calls for the Malaysian Media Council to be swiftly established as an urgent priority so the media industry can operate freely and independently.”