PARLIAMENT | The government is ready to forgive PAS mouthpiece Harakah for its Nov 6 report, according to Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil.

He told the Dewan Rakyat this morning that Putrajaya looks forward to the publication's appeal letter against the revocation of its official media passes and is willing to consider it.

"I was informed that Harakah will submit an appeal, and we welcome this. I will discuss this with the Information Department because what we want to stress here is journalism ethics.

"We are ready, like what the prime minister (Anwar Ibrahim) said the other day - that he is ready to forgive, and there is no problem (for us to forgive)," Fahmi (above) said.

The minister was answering a question posed by Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (Perikatan Nasional-Pasir Mas) on the issue of press freedom.

On Nov 6, Harakah published an article quoting PAS ulama chief Ahmad Yahaya alleging that Putrajaya is being hesitant in its stand on the Palestinian cause.

The publication had also placed an Israeli flag behind Anwar’s photo in the article, which irked the prime minister for trying to link him with the Zionist regime.

Anwar took the matter to the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday, where he lambasted Ahmad for "slandering" the government and Harakah for the photo.

The publication has since changed the photo it used in the article. On the same day, Harakah was also slapped with a letter from the Information Department revoking its reporters' media passes.

Fahmi (Harapan-Lembah Pantai) also stressed the need for all media to practise ethical journalism.

He said while the government supports media freedom, the media still have to be responsible in their reports and not publish contents with misinformation and fanning hatred, among others.

Harakah files appeal over accreditation revocation

Harakah files appeal over accreditation revocation

COMMENT | Govt must explain Harakah’s media pass revocation

COMMENT | Govt must explain Harakah’s media pass revocation

Accreditation suspension: Harakah can appeal - Fahmi

Accreditation suspension: Harakah can appeal - Fahmi

Harakah media pass revoked over article with 'unfounded accusations'

Harakah media pass revoked over article with 'unfounded accusations'