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He said he was disappointed by the objection by the journalists.
<p>"Since some journalists objected by claiming the council will limit press
freedom, I am asking the NUJ, which is the main body representing journalists,
to initiate the formation of the council," he told reporters at his Hari
Raya Aidilfitri open house at his residence in Permaipura, Bedong, here.</p>
<p>Among the people who attended the open house was Kedah Acting Menteri Besar
Datuk Mahdzir Khalid.</p>
<p>Zainuddin said he had proposed the Malaysian Media Council in the Senate in
May 1999 when he was a senator to promote journalistic ethics.</p>
<p>The Malaysian Press Institute (MPI) then prepared a working paper which was
presented to the Cabinet and the Attorney-General’s Chambers but, because some
journalists were uncomfortable with several matters, the council had not been
formed till today, he said.</p>
<p>Zainuddin said several foreign countries already had set up such a council
which played an important role in ensuring compliance with journalistic ethics
and protection of journalists’ interest.</p>
<p>"It is necessary in this country to have a Media Council to protect journalists
who risk lawsuits amounting to millions of ringgit," he said.</p>
<p>He said MPI’s working paper was good and comprehensive.</p>
<p>"I don’t understand why NUJ claimed the council will limit press freedom
and oppress journalists. The government is not going to interfere in the council,
which will be an independent body," he said.
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