KEPALA BATAS: The confidentiality of a source is important but journalists must also write with responsibility and accountability, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
“When you write, it must be accompanied by accountability.
“(You) are not only accountable to your media outlets or companies, but also to the public as a whole,” the Home Minister said here on Friday (Aug 9), adding that this accountability also applied to his ministry and police.
In a joint statement on Thursday (Aug 8), Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm) and the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) of Peninsular Malaysia firmly opposed any move that threatened the right of journalists to protect the confidentiality of anonymous sources.
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The statement followed Bukit Aman’s denial of a news portal’s report, quoting sources, that there would be a major reshuffle of the top leadership of the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM).
It was also reported that statements would be taken from three writers at the portal on Friday regarding the report.
The journalists’ joint statement said a news item should not be dismissed as untrue or invalid just because it quoted a source whose identity had been withheld.
“The assessment of the authenticity of the source and the information disclosed, in addition to the need to keep the identity confidential, should be determined by the reporter and the editor, without the involvement of outside parties,” the statement read.
The group also said the need to respect the privacy and confidentiality of sources was outlined as one of the eight values of the Malaysian Code of Ethics for Journalists published by the Information Department on behalf of the government.
The statement also noted that there had been legal precedent for Malaysian journalists’ right to protect the confidentiality of sources since a defamation case decision in 2013.
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On Thursday, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said the news portal had refused to divulge the source of the story.
He advised all parties not to quote unofficial sources for matters involving security and government agencies.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Comm Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa later said a police report had been lodged over the news report and the case was being investigated under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the government respected the media’s right to protect sources, but journalists should also cooperate with any police investigation as required by law.
