'Requiring newsrooms to have Finas licence violates press freedom'
Requiring news agencies to have a National Film Development Corporation (Finas) licence is a violation of press freedom, said Vienna-based International Press Institute (IPI), a global network of editors, journalists and media executives.
In a statement yesterday, IPI advocacy director Ravi R Prasad also accused Putrajaya of attempting to hamper the media...
Requiring news agencies to have a National Film Development Corporation (Finas) licence is a violation of press freedom, said Vienna-based International Press Institute (IPI), a global network of editors, journalists and media executives.
In a statement yesterday, IPI advocacy director Ravi R Prasad also accused Putrajaya of attempting to hamper the media.
“The bizarre licensing requirement imposed on shooting videos for news coverage is a blatant violation of press freedom and the right to information,” he said.
“The Malaysian government is trying to stifle independent media by enforcing arbitrary restrictions.”
Al Jazeera is being probed for not having a Finas licence to film its contentious “Locked Up in Malaysia’s Lockdown” documentary.
The international broadcaster contends that it does not need one as its “101 East” current affairs programme, under which the documentary was aired, does not fall within Finas’ jurisdiction.
Communications and Multimedia Minister Saifuddin Abdullah (below) ignited controversy when he said that the Finas Act 1981 mandated that both “mainstream and personal media” needed a Finas licence to publish films on “social media and traditional channels”.
Following intense online backlash, he promised that the law would not be used on individual social media users whether on TikTok, YouTube or other platforms.
Saifuddin later said that Perikatan Nasional “supported” the principle of media freedom, and would be updating the 39-year-old law.
He, however, did not state any exemptions in the law for news agencies.
Like the IPI, other groups such as the Freedom Film Network and Centre for Independent Journalism have urged Saifuddin to honour his commitment to press freedom by not using the Finas Act against Al Jazeera.
News agencies 'encouraged' to get licence
Meanwhile, Finas chairperson Zakaria Abdul Hamid told The Malaysian Insight that non-state-owned private news agencies will need a Finas licence for filming documentaries. They will also need a film authentication certificate (SPP).
However, daily news coverage of events like press conferences and secondary B-roll footage, meanwhile, are exempt.
“Documentaries will require licences but press conferences and others which are considered news coverage, there is no need for a licence.
“Filming documentaries are [sic] different from shooting for news coverage,” he was quoted as saying by the news portal.
Zakaria was also quoted as “encouraging” news agencies to apply for the Finas licence, which needs to be renewed annually.
Among the conditions for eligibility is one must be an owner of a private firm with a minimum paid-up capital of RM50,000.
Finas can deny or revoke a licence without needing to explain why. The decision is not allowed to be challenged in court.
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