Prime Minister Najib Razak said the media played an important role towards making Malaysia a modern, liberal and progressive country.

However the process would not be easy based on the current situation in the country which was highly complex, he said at the Media Perdana 2011 event at Dewan Perdana Felda in Kuala Lumpur tonight.

He said in the challenging political situation in the country now, the media had a role to play in ensuring that a healthy political atmosphere prevailed.

NONE Najib added that the government was looking into doing away with the requirement for newspapers to renew their publishing permits annually besides a comprehensive review of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 for greater press freedom.

"However, (once the changes come into effect) it does not mean you can do as you like as on your shoulders lie the responsibility to produce a Malaysian society all can be proud off," he said.

The event was the first media night organised by the Prime Minister's Department in cooperation with all the ministries.

At the function, Najib also presented certificates of appreciation to all the volunteers including media members who participated the humanitarian mission in Somalia in August.

He also made a personal contribution of RM11,000 to TV3 cameraman Aji Saregar Mazlan who was injured in the mission.

Noramfaizul's sacrifice

Najib also hoped BernamaTV cameraman Noramfaizul Mohd Nor, who died in Somalia, would become an inspiration to all media practitioners.

He was 39 when he was killed by a stray bullet in the mission led by the Putera 1Malaysia Club

Najib said media practitioners should consider the tragic incident as an inspiration to continue their struggle to glorify the profession of journalism.

Najib said this morning, Somalia Deputy Prime Minister Mohamed Mohammud H Ibrahim had met him personally to offer his sympathy for the incident.

The prime minister also handed a RM425,933.04 cheque from the insurance company to the father of Noramfaizul, Mohd Nor Mat Yasin, 66.

Noramfaizul had also received the Bintang Gagah Perkasa (BGP) from Malacca.

- Bernama