State reasons for summoning media practitioner, Geramm told police

SHAH ALAM – Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm) urges the police to state the reason behind summoning any media practitioners so that the latter can make necessary preparations if needed.

This came after New Straits Times group editor Farrah Naz Karim was summoned to the Dang Wangi district police headquarters at 1pm today over a series of exposé on alleged Mossad's operations to abduct Palestinians here.

“Journalists who are called forward have the right to arrange meetings according to their convenience; time and location considering their busyness approaching 15th General Election (GE15).

“Journalists who are questioned have the right to protect the identity of sources if necessary, in addition to the general right to not answer any questions that may expose them to prosecution,” the group said in a statement.

Geramm stood firm for the assurance of the right to press freedom to be defended especially when it involved national security and public interest.

This was not the first time that the police have asked journalists to come to the station without laying out the actual reason as whether they would be questioned as witnesses to help the investigation or otherwise.

Earlier, Veteran journalist Tan Sri Johan Jaaffar highlighted that journalists’ right to act as eyes and ears or the public must not be jeopardised.

Johan also urged the police to exercise retrain, caution and understanding in handling the case as freedom of media were crucial in the country.