'Fahmi's comments on media card deemed disrespectful' - Bersatu leader

SHAH ALAM - Bersatu information chief Razali Idris has slammed Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil for stating that a press accreditation card is not a licence to practice journalism.

Expressing his concern, Razali, viewed Fahmi's statements as derogatory to media professionals across the country.

"The Communications Minister's statement that media cards are not licences appears disrespectful and raises doubts about the essential role of media practitioners in fulfilling their duties.

"We must not mislead the public and media professionals by equating media cards with licences in fields such as medicine, law, architecture, or engineering," he said in a statement today.

Razali stressed that media practitioners rely on accredited media cards issued by the Information Department for official registration, screening, and approval, enabling them to operate freely without restrictions.

"The question now arises regarding rumours of tightening regulations for media card approval, shortening the validity period of media cards, controlling the proliferation of online organisational media practitioners, and efforts to restrict media freedom.

"The Communications Minister must respect the professionalism of the media and journalism, which have their own institutions," Razali said, highlighting the vital role played by journalists and media practitioners in the nation's history and knowledge dissemination.

Yesterday, Fahmi clarified that the media card issued by the Information Department does not serve as a licence for practicing journalism.

He explained that the purpose of the card is simply to facilitate journalists' attendance at official government events.

Fahmi's comments came in response to reports on Tuesday regarding the issuance of media cards with a shortened validity period of six months to several online journalists following a department review of the standard operating procedure (SOP).

The adjustment in the SOP prompted criticisms from the National Union of Journalists Malaysia, as the previous standard validity period for all media cards was two years.

In addressing these concerns, Fahmi noted that the implementation of the shorter validity period for media cards issued to journalists from certain online outlets has yet to be enforced.

He added that individuals whose media cards have a validity period of six months or less may request that the Information Department review their cards.