Malaysiakini today held a 30-minute protest against violence towards journalists, in conjunction with the World Press Freedom Day.
The protest took place at noon outside the online portal’s office in Bangsar Utama, Kuala Lumpur.Joining about 50 members of Malaysiakini staff were reporters from other media organisations and members of the public.
Almost all present, including reporters covering the protest, were wearing black to express outrage at the attacks on their colleagues during the Bersih 3.0 rally on April 28.
They also wore yellow ribbons symbolising press freedom.
Between shouts of “Stop violence”, and, “Free the press,” Malaysiakini editor-in-chief Steven Gan and chief editor Fathi Aris Omar read out their demands:
- All culprits of the attacks are to be brought to trial in open court after an independent panel investigates the violence during the Bersih 3.0.
- All parties are to return any press material seized in its original condition to their respective owners, and compensate for any injuries or damages suffered by the reporters and their equipment.
- All parties including the government, the authorities, civil society groups are not to repeat the attacks against journalists.
Among the placards were those that read, ‘Stop violence against journalists’, ‘We are armed with a mighty pen’, ‘World Press Freedom Day’, and ‘Honk for Press Freedom’, to which many motorists responded enthusiastically.
Also present to show support were Annie Ooi Siew Lan who is better known as ‘Aunty Bersih’, Kampung Tunku assemblyperson Lau Weng San, Bersih steering committee member Hishamuddin Rais, Centre for Independent Journalism executive officer Masjaliza Hamzah and Malay Mail photojournalist Muhammad Arif Kartono, who had previously alleged that he was assaulted by police officer at the rally.
About 10 police officers kept watch until the peaceful protest ended at about 12.30pm and did not interfere.
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