Govt committed towards press freedom

KUALA LUMPUR: The Pakatan Harapan Government yesterday reiterates its commitment to ensuring media freedom is assured, as well as a balanced media coverage for every political party in the country.

Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister (KKMM) Eddie Syazlee Shith was confident that the space provided fairly to each quarter would give the people a balanced and more accurate information.

"The government is always committed towards ensuring the freedom of the media and reporting on news and criticisms of the government, because accurate news without bias will make the thinking of the people more mature," he said when winding up the motion on the 11th Malaysia Mid-Term Review for his ministry at the Dewan Rakyat sitting yesterday.

Eddin Syazlee said RTM, as a broadcasting agency under the government, however, would prioritise the quality of the news, concerns and interest of the people first in publishing news.

On Ma'mun Sulaiman (Warisan-Kalabakan) who wanted firm action to be taken against blogs and Facebook accounts which were spreading lies, Eddin Syazlee said the ministry conducted a balanced monitoring before the action of blocking a website or Facebook account was taken.

He said under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, the government guaranteed no internet screening, but it was also limited to certain matters.