The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has appealed to the government to drop its charges against exco member Wan Noor Hayati Wan Alias.

She claimed trial to three charges concerning several posts on her personal Facebook account “Ibu Yati” about the novel coronavirus.

The journalist was charged under section 505 (b) of the Penal Code for knowingly publishing and circulating rumours likely to cause fear or alarm to the public.

In a statement tonight, NUJ general-secretary Chin Sung Chew said that Hayati (photo) had the freedom of speech to raise concerns about the coronavirus.

“The NUJ appeals to the government to lift the charges against its exco member cum deputy general treasurer Hayati for her unintentional message via her personal social media.

“Taking action against journalists or (the) media in a democratic country like Malaysia for expressing free speech will be seen as a regression in our democracy in the eyes of the public, not to mention (by) the international society as a whole.

“We have no objection if the authorities wanted to investigate in combating fake news but journalists are bound by parameters of ethical journalism and the rule of law.

“We also believe that as a journalist, she had the right to voice out her concerns to members of the public due to the anxiety which was deeply felt and who are mainly not well informed by the government over the situation of the 2019-nCoV outbreak,” Chin (above) said.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad previously cautioned that spreading misinformation about the virus or inciting racial hatred when commenting on it would not be tolerated.

Aside from Hayati’s case, the authorities have arrested four others for spreading misinformation about the coronavirus.

Appeal for funds

Meanwhile, NUJ’s New Straits Times Press (NSTP) branch’s acting president Farah Marshita Abd Patah said she regretted the charges faced by her colleague.

She appealed to the public to help the single mother of one to pay her RM12,000 bail.

Farah also thanked lawyer New Sin Yew for stepping in to represent Hayati without any costs, or pro bono. She had been without a lawyer for today’s court proceedings.

“We as journalists have an ingrained understanding that freedom of speech we enjoy as Malaysians, as well as the media, are bound to parameters of ethical journalism and the rule of law.

“But every person charged is also deemed equal in the eyes of the law and Hayati has the natural right to pursue her case and what she believes in, in court,” Farah added.