Shahidan moots banning anonymous sources in news reports

Arau MP Shahidan Kassim today proposed that the government prohibit news reports based on anonymous or unidentified sources, saying this would help prevent erroneous reporting by the media. 

He said he had found that parties including ministers would agree to be sources but refuse to be named even though the facts given were correct and accurate. 

"When we talk about sources, will there be any guarantees that it is not a source story but in accordance to their true identity?" he asked Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat. 

Fahmi said it would be up to the reporters themselves to strike a balance in reporting news involving sources who do not wish to be identified. 

He added that member of the media and reporters have certain rights in carrying out their responsibilities. 

"They have the right to ensure the safety of their sources, but this needs to be balanced with the issue of defamation," he said.