New validity period for media cards not in force yet, says Fahmi

The Star

Communications Minister on Wednesday (March 6) said that the shorter validity period for media cards issued to journalists from newly-registered news portals is not in force yet.  He was responding to complaints about the six-month period reportedly given to those from newly-registered portals and subsequent calls for an explanation by the National Union of Journalists (NUJ).  Read more at https://tinyurl.com/kpap352d   WATCH MORE: https://thestartv.com/c/news SUBSCRIBE: https://cutt.ly/TheStar LIKE: https://fb.com/TheStarOnline

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00:00 The two-page mass on the JAPAN media card, on the shortened ballot book you gave me, does that have any explanation?

00:09 Yes, so, during the re-launch of the MPI's ethical journalism code that has been compiled,

00:19 I had received some opinions from several parties, including from the Foreign Correspondence Club,

00:27 regarding the issue of timing.

00:30 So, there are several parties, including the FCC, who have delivered,

00:35 and during the launch, I mentioned that I asked the JAPAN side to review several things.

00:42 So, this process, I understand that JAPAN has issued a statement yesterday,

00:47 and I repeated that statement, there are several things I asked to be reviewed,

00:53 and it is being revised.

00:55 So, this is still under the consideration of the Ministry of Education,

00:59 and God willing, in the not-too-distant future, we will have a meeting to discuss this issue.

01:07 It is said that you have media organizations that produce media clients,

01:14 for example, the Mubarak Organization.

01:16 Those media organizations have closed down, but they are returning.

01:20 Is there such cases?

01:22 Yes, there are.

01:23 Actually, during the recent media session, if I'm not mistaken,

01:31 during the launch of the MPI's document,

01:36 I met a journalist who used a media account card from an organization that is no longer functioning.

01:47 So, this is one of the reasons, and it is a media in the media.

01:52 So, we have to make a consideration,

01:56 especially in the media in the media,

02:04 this ecosystem is quite challenging,

02:07 and we see how for some media, they are facing some challenges.

02:14 So, that is one of the reasons why several considerations are being considered by the Ministry of Education.

02:21 And I emphasize, it is not to restrain freedom of speech.

02:25 Because this media account card, and this I hope the media can help to explain,

02:32 this is not like a medical license to practice.

02:36 It is not a professional body like a lawyer, architect, doctor,

02:43 which is to work in that field, we need a license.

02:47 This is not a license.

02:49 The media account card is given by the Ministry of Education,

02:54 specifically to facilitate the journalists to follow and make reports for government official events.

03:05 So, for example, to come to today's event,

03:09 none of you require a media account card.

03:12 But if the journalist wants to make a report for National Day,

03:19 for a parliamentary assembly,

03:22 for certain events in the parliament, for example,

03:25 there are several considerations that are given,

03:29 so that is one of the functions of the media account card.

03:32 It does not restrain or prevent the journalist from making a report.

03:38 You don't need a media account card to work or function as a journalist.

03:44 This is not like being called to the bar.

03:47 This is not like with MMA, for example.

03:52 It is not a body like that.

03:54 We do not have a specific document that allows or licenses a journalist to make a report.

04:07 So, the short-term validity period is not implemented yet?

04:15 Not yet.

04:17 But if there are any media account cards that have been issued,

04:24 with a 6-month validity period,

04:29 and if the validity period has expired,

04:31 they can be applied and requested.

04:33 We will investigate and facilitate the process.

04:37 For more information, visit www.fema.gov

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