The National Union of Journalist (NUJ) urged the government to review the repressive Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 which it said was outdated to the current environment.

nuj journalist forum 050907 norila daud NUJ President Norila Mohd Daud ( left ) said the existence of PPPA was irrelevant in the first place as there were already dozens of other laws such as the Official Secrets Act and Sedition Act that are more than enough to regulate freedom of speech in the country.

"It is high time the government seriously consider to look into this act. The government should just do away with the PPPA, it is ineffective especially with the mushrooming of the new media today, the influx of information on Internet is unstoppable.

"Its only good was to hurt the mainstream media industry and the economic," she told Bernama after attending a forum entitled "Is it necessary to regulate the press in Malaysia" organised by NUJ here today.

The forum which was held in conjunction with World Press Freedom Day tomorrow was opened by Dewan Negara President Abu Zahar Ujang.

'The new media get away easily'

PPPA is also seen by industry players as the main stumbling block to the freedom of press in the country since media organizations here are required to renew their permit on a yearly basis, subject to the Home Ministry's approval.

azlan On this, Norila pointed out, such rules should be repealed as it not only risk to effect the survival of the organisation and the workers involved but could also hurt the print media industry at large.

She said NUJ also plans to meet with Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein to highlight some of the long standing issues facing the mainstream media.

"Lets look at it this way. While you (the government) are imposing strict law on the print media, you are letting the new media get away easily. Why the double standards?" she asked.

On the proposal from the press fraternity to set up a press council to self regulate the media practitioners, Norila said this council would not be able to play its role effectively as long as the PPPA existed.

The media fraternity in the country had long been pressing for the council to be established but the subject was often sidelined by the government.

- Bernama