Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) is concerned for the safety of Saudi newspaper columnist Hamza Kashgari, currently under detention by Malaysian police at the request of Saudi Arabian authorities for tweets which allegedly insulted Islam and Prophet Muhammad.

CIJ deplores the continued unthinking and reactionary demonisation of dissenting voices that continue to blight Malaysia’s democracy, which is worse still taken seriously by the police.

Right to Know Day, which falls on 28 September annually, is an occasion to promote access to information as a basic human right, as spelt out in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) is shocked to learn that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has issued a directive to broadcasters not to air a video promoting voting for the upcoming general election. MCMC’s ‘ban’ of the Undilah project’s public service announcement urging the rakyat to vote is absurd and against the spirit of democracy.

Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) is disappointed that Prime Minister Najib Razak’s promise of sweeping democratic reforms in his public address on the eve of Malaysia Day did not extend to media freedom.

The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) Malaysia mourns the death of BERNAMA TV cameraperson Noramfaizul Mohd Nor, 39, who was killed in Mogadishu, Somalia, while travelling with a group on an aid mission for the famine-struck nation. Our heartfelt condolences go to the family and friends of the late Noramfaizul.

The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) Malaysia regrets that the Home Ministry has seen fit to haul up The Star twice over the newspaper’s mistake in titling its 10 August 2011 food supplement “Ramadhan delights” despite also featuring non-halal eateries.

The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) Malaysia welcomes Prime Minister Najib Razak’s call to review existing media censorship laws. We congratulate the Prime Minister on his recent realisation, as expressed on 15 August 2011, that these laws are no longer “effective” in this day and age.

The Centre for Independent Journalism views the police order to Malaysiakini journalist Joseph Sipalan to surrender his notebook to them on 3 August 2011 as a serious breach of media freedom.

The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) strongly opposes the government’s proposed media consultative council. It is clear from the objectives of this proposed council that it will be yet another layer of control on the media, in addition to the myriad laws that already curb media freedom and have long stunted the proper growth of an independent and ethical Malaysian media.