KUALA LUMPUR — The Malaysian Media Council (MMM) has called for clearer protocols and stronger cooperation between enforcement authorities and media practitioners following an incident at an attack site in Cheras.
In a statement, MMM said it is closely monitoring reports of interactions between authorities and journalists covering the incident at an entertainment premises, emphasising that journalism is a legitimate function within a democratic society.
The council noted that journalists have a responsibility to document and report information to the public, including from incident locations, as long as their presence does not interfere with security operations.
“Any directives involving journalistic materials or devices must be handled with great care and based on clear principles,” MMM said, warning that disproportionate actions could undermine both the role of the media and public confidence in transparent information flow.
MMM stressed that the relationship between the media and the police should be guided by mutual understanding, with law enforcement responsible for security and investigations, while the media ensures timely dissemination of information to the public.
It added that journalists must be allowed to carry out their duties lawfully without undue interference, and that any restrictions imposed should be clearly justified, limited, and proportionate.
The council also called for an official dialogue session between authorities and media representatives to establish clearer procedures for coverage at incident sites, including operational boundaries, communication protocols, and mechanisms for resolving disputes on the ground.
MMM said it is prepared to facilitate such engagement in its capacity as a self-regulatory body, with the aim of strengthening professional relations between media organisations and enforcement agencies.
“Journalism is not a crime. It is a responsibility to the public,” the statement added.
