The National Union of Journalists has approved an amendment to its constitution to recruit members from the online and satellite television media.

 

The motion was approved at the union's Extraordinary Biennial Delegates Conference yesterday.

 

NUJ president Chin Sung Chew ( left ), who retained his position during the election at the conference, confirmed the amendment but said it is still awaiting approval from the Registrar of Trade Unions.

 

"We have received many enquiries from online portal journalists who are interested in joining NUJ.

 

"Therefore we sought the mandate to amend the constitution but it also has to be brought to the Registrar of Trade Unions," he told Malaysiakini when contacted.

 

According to NUJ's statement, the amendment allows personnel from the online and satellite television media recognised by the Home Ministry, to join the union.

 

The latest change comes amid recent emergence of new media groups such as the Institute of Journalism (IoJ) and Gerakan Media Marah (Geramm) which have substantial online journalists presence and have been vocal on press freedom.