Several groups representing journalists welcomed the news that the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) will hold a press freedom workshop early next month.

A journalists group which pushed Suhakam to look into the media environment in this country, Inisiatif Wartawan, welcomed the commission's quick response to their memorandum.

"We are encouraged that Suhakam has responded fairly quickly to address issues raised in our memorandum submitted on World Press Freedom Day.

"The workshop must enable free flow of ideas and views, so that any resolution adopted is relevant to current information needs," its spokesperson said.

The spokesperson, however, cautioned that the speakers invited must have credibility in order for the workshop to be effective.

"The choice of speakers and participants will be important to this process — Suhakam should ensure that those invited to engage in the discussion have proven credibility and the determination to take the issues forward. Otherwise, the workshop will end up as another talk shop."

The statement also said that the issue of restrictions on the press must be raised during the workshop.

"The issues raised must look at ways to end all unreasonable restrictions on the media. Certainly, we don't want to hear the same tired excuses and limp explanations as to why universal criteria of media freedom are not appropriate for Malaysia.

"Such criteria generally recognise the considerations of national security, so let's move along and work on the art of the possible," the statement added.

Proper forum

Meanwhile National Union of Journalists president Norlila Mohd Daud said Suhakam's workshop could provide the forum for journalists to speak out on freedom of expression and the laws surrounding it.

"It is a good effort by Suhakam and it is also positive that the commission is having this workshop so that we can raise and discuss more issues," Norila said.

"Press freedom concerns everybody and maybe during the session we may be able to brainstorm many issues."

Suhakam announced in a statement this morning that a workshop on press freedom would be held at its headquarters in Kuala Lumpur on Aug 1. The panelists would include editors of major news organisations as well as officials from the information and home ministries.

The human rights body expects Information Ministry parliamentary secretary Zainuddin Maidin to be a speaker at the event.

Suhakam conducts the press freedom workshop on a yearly basis, usually chaired by the commission's chairman. The previous workshops were chaired by former Suhakam chairman Musa Hitam and speakers included former Indonesian attorney-general Marzuki Darusman.

On World Press Freedom Day this May 3, about 50 journalists united under the group Inisiatif Wartawan to urge Suhakam to push for an environment that is conducive to press freedom, which includes repealing the Printing Presses and Publications Act, Internal Security Act, Official Secrets Act and the Sedition Act.

They also voiced concerns over the impending formation of the Media Council, which they fear will be an additional restriction to the working environment of the media.