The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) calls on the National Sports Council and national sports associations to stop intimidating sports writers by sending legal notice for publishing unfavourable
reports about them.
The reporters, just like journalists operating in other beats, are carrying out their public duties to serve their audience, be it readers, viewers or listeners.
They carry public interest stories as the development of sports are closely followed by the young and old.
The government allocates funds to develop and promote sports events and journalists have the right to expose wrong doings and mismanagement.
The NUJ believe sports writers and their media organisations subscribe to fair reporting which includes giving aggrieved parties the right to reply.
The practice of sending notice of demand to critical sports writers tantamount to intimidating them from pursuing investigative reporting.
We assure sports writers that the NUJ will spring into action, including defend their right to carry out their duties free from harassment.
Our call is in response to two former Malay Mail reporters who have been issued letters of demand by the NSC for stories published last year and this year.
One of the reports is a subject matter in court now.
We have also received feedbacks that reporters occasionally received legal notices but the aggrieved parties did not pursue further like filing legal suits.
Thank you.
V. Anbalagan
General Secretary
National Union of Journalists
