KUALA LUMPUR: No journalist or media company has been penalised under the current administration, says Fahmi Fadzil.
"Under the administration of Tambun (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) and the unity government, not a single journalist has been arrested nor a single newspaper shut down.
"There has been no such action, thus we cannot deny it is more open now.
"This is our commitment and that of Tambun which we will uphold," the Communications and Digital Minister said when wrapping up his ministerial replies on the 12th Malaysia Plan mid-term review in Parliament on Tuesday (Sept 19).
He said this was not the case during the pandemic when a journalist was arrested for spreading fake news during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.
In February 2020, an award-winning journalist was charged with spreading fake news on her Facebook account under the name "Ibu Yati".
Fahmi was responding to Mohd Syahir Che Sulaiman (PN-Bachok) who sought Fahmi's view on a joint statement by eight veteran journalists that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission should "stop playing big brother" to question, censor or block portals and online news content.
Sany Hamzan (PH-Hulu Langat) had earlier caused a minor stir when he chided irresponsible parties for spreading fake news, including claims that the prime minister had passed away.
"The latest was that the prime minister had passed away.
"Can't the ministry correct such allegations when they happen through RTM1, RTM2, TV3 and 6, 7, 8 and so forth," an irate Sany said.
Meanwhile, Fahmi agreed with a proposal from Rodziah Ismail (PH-Ampang) that there should be daily news broadcasts against fake news, particularly among rural folk.
"There is a proposal currently to add an additional slot during the RTM daily news broadcast called "Fitnah Apa Hari Ini? (What is the slander today?)," he said.
Fahmi said that news agencies and portals also have a role to play to prevent the spread of fake news or false information.
"My advice to the media – and even myself – is that when we get information in this day and age, we must verify whether this news has been carried by others.
"Main news portals report the same news and if there is incompatibility and glaring discrepancies, one is spreading fake news," he said.
He advised MPs, including the general public, to verify if viral news was genuine or fake at reputable sites.
