JournalismPakistan.com | Published May 24, 2021
Join our WhatsApp channelThe harassment of journalists throughout this year, perpetrated by Malaysian authorities, has raised concern from Malaysia’s media advocacy organizations. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its affiliate, the National Union of Journalists Peninsular Malaysia (NUJM) have called on the government to end the intimidation and threatening of the media.
The NUJM, Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), and Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm) issued a statement on May 24 in response to five incidents of journalists’ questioned and investigated by authorities over the last few months. The joint statement noted media from Malaysiakini, Astro Awani, Free Malaysia Today, and the China Press have all been subject to investigations by the police this year.
Throughout May, there has been a noticeable increase in journalists targeted by police, with two Malaysiakini journalists summoned by police on May 18 to give a statement. According to the statement, the police summons concerned three articles relating to A Ganapathy, who died seeking treatment following police arresting him in February. Another Malaysiakini journalist, Jimadie Shah Otham, was questioned on May 10 relating to their article on allegations made by the previous inspector-general of police, Abdul Hamid Bador.
In the joint statement, the media advocacy groups said they “are alarmed by the frequent use of harassment tactics by the Malaysia authorities towards the media.”
The joint statement called for the government to “(1) Stop summoning the media based on their news articles; (2) Drop all investigations against the media; (3) Initiate an independent inquiry into possible mismanagement of the powers of the authorities in their actions against media; (4) Move ahead with the establishment of the Malaysian Media Council as a transparent and independent self-regulatory body for the industry, and to avoid the government from becoming the sole arbiter of trust and deciding what information should and should not be published.”
The IFJ said: “The arbitrary summoning of media by authorities for reporting on matters of public interest is a clear violation of press freedom and an attempt to stifle the truth. The IFJ supports the calls from the media advocacy group and urges the government to take immediate action.”—IFJ media release
February 09, 2025: Hum News Network becomes the first Pakistani channel to embrace AI tools like ChatGPT and DeepSeek, enhancing productivity and innovation. Discover how this visionary move sets new standards in media.
February 08, 2025: As Pakistan faces an economic crisis, the government splurges taxpayers' money on full-page ads and press releases to glorify its achievements. Critics call it a wasteful PR stunt. Read how public funds are being misused for political propaganda.
February 07, 2025: PTV pensioners staged nationwide protests demanding their unpaid pensions, medical benefits, and dues for nearly 400 retirees. Protesters, supported by PFUJ, criticized PTV management for corruption and lavish expenses while neglecting retirees' rights.
February 06, 2025: PFUJ has challenged the controversial PECA Act 2025 in the Islamabad High Court, citing it as an attack on press freedom. Journalists and rights organizations protest the law’s implications for free speech and media independence in Pakistan.
February 06, 2025: Pakistani women journalists like Munizae Jahangir and Asma Shirazi face severe threats, harassment, and online abuse. This article explores the struggles of women in media, the systemic challenges, and potential solutions to ensure press freedom and journalist safety.
January 29, 2025: As the White House welcomes podcasters and digital journalists, Pakistan tightens censorship through PECA amendments, silencing independent voices and forcing journalists into exile. A stark contrast in press freedom emerges.
January 29, 2025: Pakistan’s latest PECA amendments expand government control over social media, criminalize misinformation, and threaten freedom of expression. Media stakeholders and human rights groups condemn the draconian changes. Learn more about the implications for journalists and activists.
January 28, 2025: The Forum for Digital Rights and Democracy has raised concerns over the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act, 2025, highlighting its risks to free speech, democratic values, and digital rights in Pakistan.
February 09, 2025 The Dart Center Ochberg Fellowship 2025 is open for applications! This prestigious program at Columbia University offers journalists an intensive seminar on trauma reporting, media ethics, and responsible journalism. Apply by March 3, 2025.
February 07, 2025 Mozambican journalist Albino Sibia was killed while filming police brutality, and reporter Pedro Junior was shot covering his funeral. Arlindo Chissale remains missing. These attacks highlight the dire state of press freedom in Mozambique amid post-election unrest.
February 05, 2025 The Committee to Protect Journalists urges the Indian government to stop targeting independent journalism after revoking the nonprofit and tax-exempt statuses of The Reporters’ Collective and The File. Learn how this impacts investigative reporting and media freedom in India.
February 04, 2025 Ukraine’s security service (SBU) has opened a criminal case for disclosure of state secrets following Ukrainska Pravda’s report on statements by military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov. CPJ urges authorities to respect press freedom and journalist protections.
February 03, 2025 Cambodian journalists Duong Akhara and Lay Socheat have been detained on incitement charges after publishing a video allegedly showing torture in a cyberscam center. Press freedom advocates call for their immediate release.