Institute of Journalists Malaysia (IOJ) has spoken against the Communications and Multimedia Minister Salleh Said Keruak's plans to take action against Malaysiakini.

On Monday, Salleh had said that he would investigate and take action against Malaysiakini for a report on controversial Muslim preacher Zakir Naik.

"The institute notes the growing tendency of the authorities in recent times to clamp down on journalists and media organisations on grounds of provoking sensitivities on various issues.

"Any government has the right to take a position on any matter of public interest.

"Disagreeing with a journalist's or news organisation's line of reporting, however, does not justify immediate threats of legal or criminal action by the authorities," the institute said in a statement today.

While the IOJ recognises that religious and racial sensitivities should be respected, it noted that it is the responsibility of news organisations to "deliver information to the public in a timely and responsible manner, free from undue restraints or intimidation from the authorities and those in public office".

It urged the minister to actively engage and build an honest and open dialogue with the media, instead of taking a confrontational approach.

"Heavy-handed treatment of the media will only result in the shutting down of viable avenues for the public to gain trustworthy and reliable information, and is ultimately a disservice to public interest," they said.

Malaysiakini had previously published a story on Zakir, citing a report by Bangladesh-based newspaper The Daily Star which had claimed that two of the terrorists involved in the Dhaka attack on July 1 followed him on social media.