Zahid pledges to revisit Act
Let’s meet and discuss Bill and see if it’s still relevant today, Zahid tells media
To create a ‘smart partnership’ with the media, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says he will relook the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984, which is seen as curtailing press freedom. The Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister says social media and online platforms are forcing everyone, including the Government, to be more open.
PUTRAJAYA: The Deputy Prime Minister has pledged to revisit the controversial Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984, a law that is seen to curtail freedom of speech and press freedom.
Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he wants to create a smart partnership with the media as the existence of online media and social media platform is forcing everyone, including the Government, to be more open.
“Let’s meet again after the general election where we will sit and discuss, look at the pros and cons of the Act and see if it is still relevant today,” he said during a luncheon dialogue with top editors from print and electronic media houses as well as publication permit holders.
He said the Home Ministry wants to engage with newsmen on the setting up of a media council or appointing a press ombudsman that will selfregulate the industry and its practitioners.
“I’m very open to suggestions and I welcome the media to throw ideas so that we can have as many views on these issues,” he said.
The Home Ministry commissioned the Malaysian Press Institute to look into the feasibility of starting a media council following a memorandum from 1,000 journalists in 1999 and 2000 calling for the repeal of the Printing Presses and Publications Act and the setting up of a selfregulatory media council instead.
Concerns have been raised about how independent the Government’s proposed council – to be set up under an Act of Parliament – will be and whether it will instead create another layer of control.
Last year, the Home Ministry issued a stern warning letter, two warnings, 14 reminders, 44 advisories and four showcause letters for violations under the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984.
At the function, Dr Ahmad Zahid turned the table on editors.
Instead of allowing them to ask him questions, it was Dr Ahmad Zahid who bombarded them with questions pertaining to the industry.
The Star Media Group’s group managing director and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai proposed that the Government impose tax on Google and Facebook advertisements, to which Dr Ahmad Zahid immediately responded that he will raise the matter in Cabinet today.
Wong said that 70% of advertisements on digital platforms were taken by Google and Facebook while the rest of the media industry shares the remaining 30%.
“Vietnam insists that they pay tax. In Malaysia, we (media) have to pay tax,” he said.
Asked if a guideline was needed to prevent “sexy photographs” from being printed, The Star’s editorinchief Datuk Leanne Goh said while that would be useful, regular consultations with the Home Ministry would be more helpful.
“With consultations and engagements, we will be able to discuss what is acceptable and what is not.
“The media may be of the opinion that a photograph is good, especially a sports photo, but it is deemed otherwise by the ministry. So there should be more consultations,” said Goh.
On the proposed law to curb fake news, Utusan Melayu (M) Bhd group editorinchief Datuk Aziz Ishak said having a regulation to prevent the spread of such news was timely for Malaysia.
“There are parties which view fake news as a security threat that is more dangerous than terrorism. Western countries such as France and the United Kingdom have taken a strong stand on this issue.
“We need to look at fake news from the security point of view and manage it so that the people’s interest will not be affected,” he said.
Sin Chew Daily’s executive editorinchief Kuik Cheng Kang agreed on the setting up of a media council to selfregulate the industry, especially to caution media houses on fake news.
“Also, with Malaysia being a multiracial and multireligious country, the council plays a role to help editors, journalists and publication permit holders to be more responsible to ensure what is written will not threaten racial harmony,” said Kuik.
I’m very open to suggestions and I welcome the media to throw ideas so that we can have as many views on these issues. Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi