Thursday 28 Mar 2024
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(July 31): The Coalition of Press Freedom (CPF) today announced that it will organise a rally on August 8 in Kuala Lumpur as a sign of solidarity with The Edge Media Group over the suspension of its two publications.

Spokesman for the coalition of five media non-governmental organisations (NGOs) Hazlan Zakaria said that the peaceful protest, called the 808 Rally, will be attended by those championing freedom of the press and to condemn the government, which is blocking the freedom of speech.

"As a continuation of the solidarity movement today, we officially announce that we will organise the 808 Rally, which will begin at 11am at Central Market and move towards the Malaysian Bar headquarters.

"We call on our media friends to walk together and send a clear message to the authorities to set the media free," he said at the solidarity gathering in front of The Edge office in Mutiara Damansara, Selangor today.

CPF wants Putrajaya to lift the suspension of The Edge Weekly and The Edge Financial Daily and also unblock access to whistleblower site Sarawak Report.

"The press must be allowed to seek information and report on matters of public interest without any fear or favour," he said.

The peaceful gathering today at The Edge office was attended by some 100 media practitioners and members from Gerakan Media Marah (Geramm), The Institute of Journalist (LOJ), Reporters Sans Frontiers (RSF) dan Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), who were all clad in black.

Another spokesperson from CPF Fathi Aris Omar said that today's gathering is the biggest multi-organisation rally in the last decade, adding that international media groups had also joined in to show their support for The Edge.

The Home Ministry suspended the publishing permit of The Edge Weekly and The Edge Financial Daily for three months beginning July 27.

A letter from the ministry stated that the publications' coverage of the controversial 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) was "prejudicial or likely to be prejudicial to public order, security or likely to alarm public opinion or is likely to be prejudicial to public and national interest".

Earlier this month, The Edge received a show-cause letter in which the ministry gave them seven days to explain why action should not be taken under the Printing Presses and Publication Act 1984.

The Edge was accused of publishing articles on the debt-ridden state fund which were said to have created confusion and doubt about the Malaysian government and financial institutions. – The Malaysian Insider

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