Electoral reforms pressure group Bersih has urged the press to abandon its "old habit" of providing one-sided coverage in favour of the ruling party.

"Taxpayer-funded state media such as RTM radio and television stations should no longer serve the government of the day, but taxpayers.

"(They should) provide equal media coverage to all sides for taxpayers to make informed decisions," the group said in a statement today.

Bersih stressed that the media played an important role in ensuring government accountability, while serving as a platform for grassroots to air their grievances.

Last week, several BN leaders told Free Malaysia Today that the mainstream press were now siding with Pakatan Harapan following its victory during the May 9 polls.

Among them were Umno supreme council member Ab Aziz Kaprawi, who urged the media to be "fair."

Similarly, MIC Youth chief C Sivarraajh said that the press should not be afraid of seeking opinions from BN leaders because check-and-balance on the current administration was necessary.

Protect press freedom

Meanwhile, Bersih urged the federal government to fulfil its promise to abolish laws which curb press freedom such as the Sedition Act 1948, Anti-Fake News Act 2018, Printing Presses and Publication Act 1984, along with certain provisions contained in the Communication and Multimedia Act 1998.

"We call for these legislations to be repealed or reviewed immediately in line with human rights and press freedom in the first session of Parliament.

"We further urge the Harapan government to accord press freedom with constitutional protection," he said.