The Malaysia Media Council (MMM) has stressed that journalists have the right to carry out their reporting duties lawfully without undue interference, calling for clearer communication and professional conduct in the field.
In a statement, MMM said any restriction imposed on media work must have a clear, limited and proportionate basis, adding that better coordination on the ground is essential to prevent misunderstandings and tensions.
The council was commenting on an incident during media coverage at a Cheras entertainment centre linked to an alleged attack, where interactions reportedly took place between enforcement officers and journalists on duty.
MMM reiterated that journalism plays a legitimate role in a democratic system, where reporters are responsible for documenting and reporting information to the public, including at incident locations, as long as it does not disrupt active security operations.
It added that any instructions involving journalistic materials or devices must be handled carefully and guided by clear principles to avoid unnecessary disruption.
The council warned that disproportionate actions risk undermining the role of the media and public confidence in transparent and responsible information flow.
The issue follows an incident last Monday where three journalists were instructed to delete photographs and videos taken during coverage of a riot and assault at a Kuala Lumpur entertainment outlet in Taman Shamelin, Cheras.
Media organisations including Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm) and the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) had earlier expressed concern over the reported treatment of the journalists involved.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Fadil Marsus later said the police would strengthen engagement with media practitioners to prevent similar misunderstandings in future, suggesting the incident may have stemmed from a lack of awareness of media standard operating procedures (SOPs) among officers on the ground.
MMM also urged for stronger cooperation between the media and police based on mutual understanding of roles, where law enforcement focuses on security and investigation integrity while journalists ensure information reaches the public.
The council recommended a formal dialogue session between authorities and media representatives to clarify reporting procedures, operational boundaries, communication protocols and dispute resolution mechanisms.
It said such engagement would help build mutual understanding and prevent similar incidents from recurring, adding that MMM is ready to facilitate discussions to strengthen professional relations between both parties.
“Journalism is not a crime. It is a responsibility to the public,” the council said.
