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.

The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) is naturally disappointed with the High Court’s dismissal of political cartoonist Zulkiflee Anwar Ulhaque (Zunar) and columnist Yong Thye Chong’s (Kim Quek) applications for a judicial review of the banning of their books under Printing Presses and Publications Act (PPPA), 1984.

The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) condemns the federal government for not only repudiating the right to assemble peaceably of organisers and supporters of Bersih 2.0 – a movement campaigning for free and fair elections – but more dangerously, for actively drumming up public antipathy against the organisers and their planned rally on 9 July 2011 through the mainstream media, almost all of which is under state control.

The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) disagrees with the Kelantan government’s decision to bar Utusan Malaysia from state assembly proceedings and official functions involving Menteri Besar Nik Aziz Nik Mat. CIJ recognises that the Barisan Nasional (BN) -owned or -controlled mainstream media are often not fair in their coverage of Pakatan Rakyat (PR). However, if PR is interested in upholding media freedom, it should engage with the media, even hostile ones.

The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) Malaysia expresses its support for Bersih 2.0’s call for a peaceful assembly on 9 July 2011 to highlight the need for free and fair elections.