PETALING JAYA – The media accreditation card issued by the Information Department does not function as a practising licence for journalists, unlike doctors, lawyers, and architects, said Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.
He stated that the media cards are intended to make reporting easier when attending official government events.
“This (media card) is not like a licence to practise medicine or professional licences for lawyers and architects.
“It (media card) is given by the department to ease access for journalists to report official government events,” he told reporters after launching the CelcomDigi Digital Healthcare Solution programme at its headquarters here today.
“This (without the card) doesn’t limit the journalists’ ability to do their duty. You (media practitioners) don’t need the card to work or function as journalists. We (the government) don’t have a law to licence journalists.”
As for the change in the card’s validity – from two years to six months, the minister said the Information Department is reviewing the guidelines.
Fahmi also said there have been media practitioners who are misusing the card even though their news organisations have shuttered.
“Before becoming a minister, I was among those who voiced the concerns of journalists.
“I hope the media practitioners, including the veterans, understand that the government is making efforts to ensure the welfare of journalists’ by providing Socso aid to the 215 registered freelancers, part-timers, and stringers,” he added.
Yesterday, the department said it is streamlining procedures for the approval and issuance of media accreditation cards, including the validity period.
The move is being done following Fahmi’s request for the department to re-examine the validity period for the cards given to journalists, which had previously been for a two-year period for local media and one year for international media.
Media accreditation cards issued by the Information Department are used as identification for journalists operating in the country, and are usually required when covering government-related events. – March 6, 2024