Mariah Doksil…SJA called on authorities to enforce stricter access control in courts to prevent unauthorised recordings that could breach legal protocols and jeopardise long-term media access.
KOTA KINABALU : – The Sabah Journalists Association (SJA) has raised serious concerns over declining media ethics and the safety of journalists during coverage of the Zara Qairina Mahathir inquest.
Its president, Mariah Doksil, in a statement on Tuesday, stressed the importance of ethical, accurate reporting and safe working conditions for media practitioners.
This came after two female reporters reported feeling unsafe when an unidentified individual entered the press area and stood inappropriately close to them during a press conference.
“No journalist should have to work under such conditions,” said Mariah.
She also criticised the disruptive behaviour of untrained individuals who entered restricted media zones, interfered with coverage, and later monetised livestreams, actions she said undermine the credibility of journalism and risk confusing the public.
“Professional journalists are trained to report with integrity and within legal and ethical boundaries. When those standards are ignored, the accuracy and reliability of public information suffer,” she stressed.
The association further warned against misinformation spreading on social media, including false claims about court proceedings, and urged that press access be prioritised for registered media to ensure factual reporting.
“Mistakes in reporting legal matters are not harmless. They can mislead the public and interfere with judicial processes,” Mariah added.
SJA also called on authorities to enforce stricter access control in courts to prevent unauthorised recordings that could breach legal protocols and jeopardise long-term media access.
“Ethics and safety go hand in hand in journalism. Responsible reporting protects not only the public’s right to know, but also the integrity of the process and the people doing the work,” said Mariah. – BP