Malaysian journalists protest amendments threatening press freedom

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published last year |  IFJ Media Release

KUALA LUMPUR—Journalists, media workers, and press freedom advocates held a protest outside the Malaysia House of Parliament on December 4, in a demonstration against proposed amendments to the Printing Presses and Publications Act (PPPA) which would require digital platforms to register with the government. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate, the National Union of Journalists Peninsular Malaysia (NUJM) in condemning the proposed amendments as a clear threat to press freedom and urging the Madani government to withdraw the legislation and seek stakeholder inputs.

Changes to the act were first proposed in May, with a delegation of government officials meeting with editors, senior media figures, and journalists discussing the inclusion of online news portals within the act’s scope, despite claims by Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail in March that the bill would only be subject to minor amendments.

On November 16, the NUJM, Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), and the Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm) expressed their concerns over the changes’ potential to affect press freedom, specifically identifying reinstated requirements around licence renewal and the expansion of the law to include digital and electronic content, among other changes.

The Home Ministry announced plans on December 3 to delay the tabling of the proposed amendments, stating that it instead sought to consider the views of all stakeholders, and first implement amendments to the Communications and Multimedia Act.  

In response to the bill, over 50 journalists and supporters of independent media marched to the Malaysian parliament in Kuala Lumpur on December 4, submitting a letter penned by the Fourth for Fourth Coalition, led by the NUJM, Geramm, and CIJ and signed by 11 media organisations, 40 civil society organisations, 53 individuals, and the IFJ. The letter called on the government to abide by its commitments to reform, an end to increase control over the media via legislation, engagement in a legitimate consultation process with stakeholders, and the promotion of media independence.

The PPPA has been criticised for its use in the targeting of independent or critical voices, and the encouragement of self-censorship. In October 2023, journalist and editor Kean Wong was arrested on return to Malaysia under the act, for his work editing a book which allegedly featured a distorted Malaysia coat of arms on its cover.

The NUJM said: “The NUJM has been calling for the repeal of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 (PPPA 1984) since the 90s. On December 4, the NUJM as part of the Fourth of the Fourth organised a peaceful rally to highlight and demand the Home Ministry and government to halt all repressive amendments and new laws, over media operations, particularly through the PPPA 1984, CMA 1998 and related

Laws; establish a transparent, consultative process involving journalists, editors, and civil society to address genuine concerns and constructive participation of all; accelerate the formation of an independent Malaysian Media Council to foster self-regulation and accountability within the media industry; and focus on legislation promoting transparency, such as a Right to Information Act, rather than imposing restrictive controls.

The IFJ said: “The PPPA is a significant challenge to press freedom in Malaysia, and these amendments will only serve to further undermine free expression and encourage self-censorship. The IFJ calls on the Madani government to withdraw the amendments currently proposed, and engage in a comprehensive consultation process with the media for all future proposed changes. The IFJ stands in solidarity with all Malaysian journalists demonstrating for press freedom and media independence.