Journalists have the right to keep sources confidential - Geramm-NUJM

SHAH ALAM – Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm) and the National Union of Journalists Malaysia (NUJM) have strongly defended journalists' right to protect the confidentiality of their sources.

In a statement, they asserted that efforts to undermine this right, especially when sources wished to remain anonymous, must be resisted.

“Any news should not be judged as "untrue" or "invalid" just because it cites a source whose identity has been kept secret.

“Any form of ‘cooperation’ with any investigation conducted by the authorities should also not involve a demand to reveal the identity of a confidential source,” the statement read.

On the other hand, Geramm-NUJM highlighted the need to respect the privacy and confidentiality of sources is outlined as one of the eight values ​​of the Malaysian Journalist Code of Ethics published by the Information Department on behalf of the government.

They highlighted that it would help journalists and media organisations to utilise their full capacity in their duties as the ‘fourth estate’ or representing the voice of the people from all walks of life.

“Without guarantees of protection, journalists will lose trust from sources with information that needs to be disclosed,” it said.

They further emphasised that it would be within the rights of journalists and editors to decide whether a source used was legit or not, upon allegation, without needing the involvement of any outside parties.

Geramm-NUJM also highlighted the right of Malaysian journalists to protect a source's confidentiality had also been accepted as a judicial precedent in coming up with a result in an alleged case regarding defamation.

“If there is a dispute after the publication of an article or news, it should be resolved through the independent Malaysian Media Council which is in the final stages of establishment through a Bill that is expected to be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat in October,” it said.