By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, May 9:The CSO Platform for Reform has called on the Madani government to abolish or amend the Printing Presses and Publications Act (PPPA) 1984 and the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (CMA) to enhance Malaysia’s ranking on the World Media Freedom Index.
The coalition emphasised the need for an independent Malaysia Media Council (MMM), free from governmental or commercial influences, to safeguard press freedom.
“An independent media council ensures journalists and media outlets can operate without fear of censorship or reprisal from governmental or corporate entities,” the CSO Platform for Reform stated in a press statement issued today.
For the record, the CSO Platform for Reform is a coalition of more than 60 members focusing on institutional reforms for a better Malaysia for all.
The coalition also stated that press freedom is critical for a vibrant democracy in which citizens have access to diverse perspectives and information.
“An independent media council can also enhance public trust in journalism by ensuring that news reporting is driven by factual accuracy and ethical considerations rather than political or commercial agendas.
It continued: “We hope that by separating the Malaysia Media Council from the government, it will guarantee the right of media freedom in our country.
The recommendations from the CSO Platform for Reform were in light of the country’s decline in the World Media Freedom Index published by the Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
The coalition emphasised that the country’s ranking had dropped by 34 places since the previous year, underscoring the need for action. — DayakDaily
