(SEAPA/IFEX) – The following is a statement issued by the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), SEAPA’s local partner in Malaysia: The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) is deeply concerned about the indefinite suspension of East Malaysian daily “Sarawak Tribune”, following its decision to reprint Danish cartoons of the Prophet Muhammed on 4 February 2006. The […]
(SEAPA/IFEX) – The following is a statement issued by the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), SEAPA’s local partner in Malaysia:
The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) is deeply concerned about the indefinite suspension of East Malaysian daily “Sarawak Tribune”, following its decision to reprint Danish cartoons of the Prophet Muhammed on 4 February 2006.
The Cabinet announced on 9 February that the paper’s printing license would be indefinitely suspended. The suspension is in effect pending the outcome of a probe by the Internal Security Ministry.
Local newspaper reports on 8 February also said that Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had said that a show-cause letter had been issued against “Sarawak Tribune” and that further action may be taken against the newspaper. The Prime Minister is also Internal Security Minister and holds the discretion to approve, reject, change or revoke printing licenses at will.
While CIJ holds that the reprinting of the caricatures was offensive, we also maintain that the suspension of “Sarawak Tribune”‘s license is a threat to media freedom and an act of unnecessary government interference.
Lester Melanyi, the editor allegedly responsible for the republishing of the cartoons has resigned, and “Sarawak Tribune” published a front-page apology on 7 February in which it expressed regret over the publication.
Melanyi’s resignation and the front-page apology should be sufficient redress, and there is no reason to suspend the newspaper or to jeopardise the careers of the newspaper’s 300-plus staff. A thorough investigation should also be conducted into Melanyi’s allegation that the newspaper had scape-goated him for the incident, and that a senior editor had approved the publication of the cartoons.
A free and self-regulating press is the cornerstone of any democracy, and the suspension of “Sarawak Tribune”‘s printing license is an indication of how unnecessary governmental pressure and interference control the Malaysian media far more than democratic principles.
The Centre for Independent Journalism urges the Malaysian government to accept Melanyi’s resignation and the “Sarawak Tribune”‘s apology as sincere regret over a professional mistake and to end the freeze on the newspaper’s license.
On a related note, we also urge the government to repeal the licensing conditions of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984, which has been used to muzzle the Malaysian media and deny both the fundamental rights of freedom of information and freedom of expression.
