KUALA LUMPUR: The Communications Ministry has no intention of restricting the rights of journalists to report news by launching the Journalist Code of Ethics.
Its minister Fahmi Fadzil said media freedom was a main core that everyone should support but also allowed to thrive.
"In the past, I was among the members of Parliament who fought for the welfare of journalists, and I was once criticised in this honourable house for defending the rights of journalists to report.
"And I remember vividly… At the time I was relentlessly attacked.
"I want to say that as a democrat, and as someone who adheres to the principles of reform, neither I nor the administration have any desire to curtail the rights of journalists to report."
He said this when answering a supplementary question from RSN Rayer (Pakatan Harapan-Jelutong) in Parliament today.
Rayer had asked Fahmi to guarantee that the government would not restrict any journalist from reporting any news or exposing any scandals.
Fahmi reiterated that not having a media card would not prevent any journalist from writing a news report.
"For example, (UK journalist) Claire Rewcastle Brown does not have a media card, but she can write… anyone out there can write.
"The media card is issued to those who want to cover Parliamentary sittings, or attend official government events or make coverage at the Prime Minister's office.
"I give my guarantee. Alhamdulillah, since I hold this portfolio, not one journalist has been arrested, dragged to court, or investigated for their reports," he added.
