Media Veteran Raises Alarm Over Implications Of Probing Journalists

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National Journalism Laureate Johan Jaafar has raised the alarm over the implications of ongoing investigations that target journalists for quoting statements attributed to others on public platforms.
He warned that actions such as confiscating laptops from working journalists set a dangerous precedent, potentially silencing dissent and curbing press freedom.
“It is seen as an attempt to silence dissenting views and curtailing press freedom in the country.
“It is against the spirit of openness and tolerance reiterated by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in ensuring an eco-system so that journalists can work without fear of harassment and retaliation,” said the former Media Prima Bhd chairperson today.
Johan’s (above) statement follows a recent police seizure of a Malaysiakini editor's laptop in connection with an investigation into former minister Khairy Jamaluddin’s comments on his podcast Keluar Sekejap.
Khairy JamaluddinIn the podcast, Khairy alleged that the royal addendum saga involving former premier Najib Abdul Razak led to a trust crisis within Umno.
The comments prompted a police report from Suraya Yaacob, the political secretary to the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Azalina Othman Said.
In addition to the laptop seizure, Malaysiakini was summoned to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) headquarters in Putrajaya to grant access to its content management system (CMS).
The news portal was informed that failure to comply would constitute an offence.
Excessive action
Commenting on the issue, Johan described the laptop confiscation as excessive and abusing power.
“I also find it unacceptable that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is demanding access to the media organisation’s content management system,” said Johan, who also alluded to the reported “threat” that failure to do so would constitute an offence.
He highlighted that journalists often quote various sources, including media statements, podcasts, and social media platforms.
“If the case involving Khairy is to be treated as a criminal defamation case, it should therefore be treated as such. I urge the authorities to refrain from criminalising the messenger,” he concluded. - Mkini

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