Fahmi defends media’s right to do source stories

[superadmin]

KUALA LUMPUR: Communications and digital minister Fahmi Fadzil has defended the media’s right to do source stories and protect their sources’ identities.

Fahmi, who was asked by Shahidan Kassim (PN-Arau) if the government had any plans to ban media outlets from publishing stories based on sources, said there were no such restrictions on the media as long as their reports are not defamatory.

“We also take note that journalists have the right to protect their sources’ identity, but this has to be weighed against the issue of defamation,” he said.

“As an example, television channel Awesome TV reported that based on a source or suggestion, the government plans to dismiss 800,000 civil servants. This is clearly defamatory.”

He added that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) will be meeting with the channel’s officials today.

- More -