KUALA LUMPUR, April 9 — Concerns have been raised over press freedom following an incident on April 7.
When three journalists covering a riot case at a Cheras karaoke centre were reportedly ordered by police to delete all photos and videos taken at the scene.
A female journalist was questioned and had her mobile phone inspected by plainclothes officers, while two others were asked to erase recordings and had their press cards photographed.
Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm) and the National Union of Journalists Malaysia (NUJM) urged authorities to provide clarity, emphasizing that journalism is not a crime.
Teo Nie Ching highlighted the importance of a free and responsible press, reiterating that accredited media members must be allowed to document events of public interest without obstruction.
The incident has sparked calls for stronger safeguards to protect journalists’ rights during high-stakes investigations.
