Protect Malaysian Press To Perform Duties - Transparency International

KUALA LUMPUR, May 4 (Bernama) -- The Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M) calls for the protection of the Malaysian press to perform their duties without fear or favour. In conjunction with the World Press Freedom Day today, its president Paul Low said that efforts must be taken to protect the press at all times while performing their duties to document and provide information to society. While stressing that journalists play a crucial role as guardians of public interest, Low said a free and independent media is vital in exposing malpractices and abuses by those in authority and an important tool in fighting corruption. "They articulate the aspirations of the people, and provide the critical elements of checks and balances in a vibrant and open democracy," he said in a statement here, Thursday. Low said TI-M hoped that the recommendations that all campaigning parties contesting in elections should get fair and free access to the media as stated in the Parliamentary Select Committee Report of Electoral Reform passed by the Parliament last month, would be implemented immediately. "We also call for the media to practice fair, impartial and equal coverage for all political parties, especially for the coming general election," he said. -- BERNAMA