The Institute of Journalist (IoJ) has called for the state to cease action against The Star, following the daily's decision to suspend its editor-in-chief and executive editor over a controversial front page on May 27.

"This decision shows that the paper is willing to take responsibility for whatever transgressions it is seen to have committed, perceived or otherwise.

"The IoJ repeats its position that the only way forward in promoting a free press is to allow media organisations to decide for themselves how to deal with such issues and to determine their editorial direction, without undue and misplaced pressure from the authorities," it said in a statement.

The Star yesterday suspended its editor-in-chief Leanne Goh and executive editor Dorairaj Nadason pending an internal investigation into the May 27 front page...