KUALA LUMPUR: The Information Department said it is adjusting the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) related to the issuance of media cards.
The department said in a statement today (March 5) the adjustments included the media card's validity period.
"During the launch of the updated Malaysian Code of Ethics for Journalists on Feb 20, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil had asked the department to look into the validity period of media accreditation cards for international media and this includes the validity of media cards.
"This process (adjustment to the SOP) will take a bit of time.
"Media practitioners can still renew their accreditation cards which have expired," it said.
The adjustment to the SOP would also take into consideration documents stated in the Malaysian Press Institute's Malaysian Code of Ethics for Journalists.
The department did not indicate in the statement why the adjustment to the SOP on the issuance of the media cards was necessary.
The department was responding to a news portal report which claimed that it had significantly reduced the media card validity period for multiple online media journalists from various news agencies.
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The portal said several online journalists had received media cards with validity period that was reduced from two years to only six months.
Meanwhile, the National Union of Journalists Malaysia (NUJM) said this would hinder journalists from carrying out their duties at government premises.
NUJM general secretary Teh Athira Mohd Yusof described such an action as a step backwards since the Communications Ministry had previously pledged to expand the media industry to be more inclusive.
"NUJM hoped that the Communications Ministry can provide an explanation for the different period of media card expiry for online portal media practitioners.
"We understand that the Information Department is in the process of reviewing the SOP on the issuance of media cards, including the period of validity.
"NUJM calls on the ministry to consider reverting to the standard two-year validity period for all media practitioners.
"We hope there will be more transparency from the ministry," said Teh Athira.
NUJM also asked about the promised made by the government to review and repeal the Printing Presses and Publications Act and to set up a media council.
"We hope it will be done soon," she said.