The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) questions Information Minister Zainuddin Maidin's "advice" to news editors not to play up news that put the government in bad light. CIJ finds the advice by the minister alarming as he continues to show little regard for press freedom and the role of the media in a democracy.

On Oct12, quoting sources, Malaysiakini reported Zainuddin as telling editors that the media need not report the truth, especially news that cast a negative light on the government. This was because the prime minister's pledge to hear the truth applied only among government officials. He told them at a special meeting that he would, under the instruction of the prime minister, give similar advice to the press regularly.

CIJ views such controls over the media as subverting their functions in informing society. It also goes against the journalists' code of ethics not to report issues of public concern, especially where it involves the government and public officials. Zainuddin's advice strongly suggests that he would not like to see the press to play the role of a watchdog. This is also against the principles of democracy in which governments should be open to people's scrutiny via a free press.

It is also questionable how limiting the task of "telling the truth" to government officials will be effective when the mass media does not function as a channel between the people and the government.

Zainuddin's advice to the press is at the expense of the people, who have the right to free press and information. We call upon the minister to stop interfering in the press and to appreciate it as a valuable tool to improve public governance and accountability.

CIJ advocates the following to promote press freedom and freedom of expression in Malaysia:

• the repealing of the Printing Presses and Publication Act 1984
  
  
• the establishment of a Parliamentary Select Committee on Media Freedom
  
  
• the improvement of journalism practices through adherence to code of ethics

The writer is executive director, Centre for Independent Journalism.