SHAH ALAM - An independent commission must be established to set clear guidelines to thoroughly observe the contents released by media practitioners in the country either through social media or news portals.
Former Umno information chief Shahril Sufian Hamdan said the measures were for the purpose of controlling any slanderous claims, accusations or fake news and to curb the involvement of government agencies against constructive criticisms from media institutions.
"In managing and controlling the issue, let it be on fake news, slander that would lead to sedition and not in the context of criticising any ruler or government.
"That would surely become the issue because the guideline can be unclear. Was it valid criticism or could it lead to another direction.
"When the party deciding is partisan, that's the problem. Perhaps we can think of an independent commission that would decide whether a statement was provocative, leading towards an issue that must be contained or a fair constructive criticism to be given,” he said.
He said this during the Keluar Sekejap podcast with former Umno youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin, today.
On Tuesday, a group of veteran media professionals through a joint statement entitled ‘MCMC must stop acting like big brother' said they disagreed with the Communications and Multimedia Commission's action blocking online news publications.
The statement was issued by National Journalism Laureate Tan Sri Johan Jaafar, veteran journalist Datuk A Kadir Jasin, Karangkraf Group Advisor Datuk Hussamuddin Yaacub, former Berita Nasional Malaysia (Bernama) Agency chairman Datuk Seri Azman Ujang, Malaysian Press Institute (MPI) CEO Datuk Dr Chamil Wariya, former Bernama CEO Datuk Yong Soo Heong, former Bernama Editor-in-Chief Datuk Zakaria Abdul Wahab and writer and election analyst Dr G Manimaran.
On Tuesday, MCMC responded to the issue saying that the commission was guided by the provisions of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
In a statement, MCMC reiterated that the commission will carry out its duty and functions to maintain information integrity and public harmony.