KUALA LUMPUR: Majlis Media Malaysia (MMM) has taken note of the public apology issued by Free Malaysia Today (FMT) and the clarification provided following an internal review into a recent issue involving one of its reporters.
In a statement, MMM acknowledged the steps taken by the news organisation to address the matter and to publicly account for its handling of the situation, describing the move as consistent with principles of transparency and editorial responsibility.
MMM strongly condemned all forms of doxxing, harassment, intimidation and threats against journalists, stressing that such actions endanger media practitioners, violate their privacy and basic human rights, and undermine the essential role of journalism in a democratic society.
“No journalist should be subjected to personal harm or intimidation, regardless of disagreements over their work,” the council said.
At the same time, MMM emphasised the importance of journalists upholding critical thinking in their reporting, including in the framing of questions and narratives. It said such inquiry must be supported by thorough preparation, in-depth research and careful analysis.
The council also noted that responsibility for maintaining professional standards does not rest solely on individual journalists, but also on newsrooms and media organisations. This includes providing proper training, guidance and fostering a strong editorial culture that supports responsible journalism without creating fear or self-censorship.
MMM further urged all parties to exercise restraint, adding that questioning experts, public figures and stakeholders in public or open settings is a legitimate and established journalistic practice. Any concerns over journalistic conduct, it said, should be addressed through professional, proportionate and constructive channels rather than public vilification or punitive actions against individuals.
As an independent statutory body established to uphold media standards and accountability, MMM said it stands ready to offer its good offices to facilitate dialogue or mediation between the parties concerned, if appropriate.-BNN
