The government should allow the media to be more open and free to debate on issues although they may be deemed sensitive so as to give a clear understanding of the issues to all parties concerned, said the National Union of Journalists (NUJ).

nuj journalist forum 050907 norila daud Its president, Norila Daud ( left ), said NUJ believed that only such a process would help create knowledgeable citizens who could appreciate differences of opinion as an important foundation for the nation to achieve progress after 53 years of independence.

"It is healthier for matters, although regarded and classified as sensitive, to be debated and explained in the mainstream media in an ethical manner rather than allowing the people to act on their own because they are not getting a clear picture or accurate information on these matters.

"The freedom for readers to debate and offer views on an issue cannot be curtailed as the press is already controlled by the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984, while they are free to do so through the portals and online media," she said in a statement in Kuala Lumpur today.

On the statement by Deputy Home Minister Lee Chee Leong yesterday that the ministry would be drawing up a new publication guideline, Norila said it would make the press irrelevant and slowly kill the newspaper industry.

"Hence, the NUJ feels that the time has come for the Printing Presses and Publications Act to be amended so that the newspaper and magazine publishers do not need to apply for a publishing permit each year.

"NUJ also is of the opinion that those who threaten to disrupt public order and harmony in this country through their writings or broadcast material be charged under the existing laws to enable them to defend themselves in court."

New publication guideline

Yesterday, Lee said a new, comprehensive publication guideline was needed to ensure that publishers would be better informed of their role and responsibilities.

He said there should also be clearer definition of the rules and regulations of the publishing permit and the provisions of the Printing Presses and Publications Act.

Norila, however, said it was not wrong if a publisher explained or informed readers on an actual situation that involved the religion, culture or practices of a community who felt disturbed by the actions of others who failed to understand the community's sensitivities.

"The government today cannot simply use the excuse that a news or feature item could threaten public order or national security so as to tighten control over the press.

"Cultural enrichment created by diversity of ethnicity, religion and background in this country would not reach the desired level of progress if the Home Ministry keeps using the Act to tighten the publishing permit conditions which makes dissemination of genuine information difficult," she said.

- Bernama