Gerakan Media Marah (Geramm) views with great concern the statement of Communications and Multimedia Minister Salleh Said Keruak on possible action against news portal Malaysiakini over their report regarding Muslim preacher Dr Zakir Naik.

Utusan Malaysia on July 11 quoted the minister as saying that his ministry will “investigate and use existing powers to take action” against Malaysiakini for publishing a story that cited a report by Bangladesh-based newspaper The Daily Star on Dr Zakir.

Malaysiakini’s report, published on July 5, quoted the Bangladeshi paper on two terrorists linked to the July 1 Dhaka shooting as being the followers of Dr Zakir on social media.

Subsequent follow-ups from the portal also carried the denial of Dr Zakir, comments and even criticism against Malaysiakini itself from various individuals.

The climate of fear and threats against media publications and personnel in the country needs to be addressed by the authorities as media freedom and editorial independence continues to be stifled in the country.

Geramm reiterates our stand that one of the roles of the media is to engage the public into healthy discussion and is a normality in a healthy and functioning democracy in lieu of journalism role as the fourth estate.

The pressure from authorities had been going on for a long time not only to news portal but also to mainstream media in various issues, especially the ones touching on certain individuals and personalities.

The country and public itself will suffer if the climate of fear and threats continue to loom in the country’s media landscape.

GERAMM is a loose coalition of journalists, media representatives and activists who are fighting for freedom of the press and its practitioners.