Chinese newspaper heads urge govt not to persecute journalists
The Malaysia Chinese Newspaper Editor Association has urged the government to cease legal action against two media practitioners in order to uphold press freedom.
The association was referring to police investigations against CodeBlue editor-in-chief Boo Su-Lyn for violating the Official Secrets Act 1972 and contempt proceedings brought by the attorney-general against Malaysiakini editor-in-chief Steven Gan.
The Malaysia Chinese Newspaper Editor Association has urged the government to cease legal action against two media practitioners in order to uphold press freedom.
The association was referring to police investigations against CodeBlue editor-in-chief Boo Su-Lyn for violating the Official Secrets Act 1972 and contempt proceedings brought by the attorney-general against Malaysiakini editor-in-chief Steven Gan.
In Boo's case, the association said she was being investigated for reporting on declassified documents and was a case of putting the cart before the horse.
The association urged the government to review the Official Secrets Act 1972 given the current information age, and the government should not curb peoples' right to know.
On Gan, the association said that the contempt proceedings over public comments were inappropriate, a violation of freedom of expression and unfair.
They said that the government should target irresponsible Internet users and not the media that is providing a platform for expression.
"A responsible media organisation will engage readers and uphold the spirit of freedom of expression together in order to create a platform for dialogue," said the association.
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