“I don’t support legislative changes that ban political ownership of the media.
“My personal opinion is that anyone can own a newspaper. You can own a newspaper, I can own a newspaper. What you need is to be able to afford it. That is a massive obstacle,” she said in a talk held at the office of NGO Sisters in Islam.
It was previously reported that the government was considering the possibility of limiting shares held by political parties in mainstream media companies to 10%, in line with Pakatan Harapan’s promise of reform and greater press freedom.
The Malaysian Insight quoted sources as saying that the 10% would also apply to other shareholders, including private companies, organisations or individuals.
It was also learnt that the shareholding cap was suggested by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
However, Sonia said she disagreed with such a move which would infringe on freedom of expression.
“The answer does not lie in capping those shares,” she said. “It is about diversity, and it is about transparency.”
She drew a distinction between broadcast and print media, noting the more stringent criteria on licences for the former as airwaves are public property.
Print media, on the other hand, was private property, she said, adding that anyone who wished to start a newspaper should be allowed to do so.
“They should not have to apply for permission.”
She added however that those who were part of the proposed self-regulating media council would have to abide by a code of ethics, including what to do with editorial independence.
“In the Malaysian context, membership of the council should be contingent on transparency about ownership.
“We are in a situation where the media needs healing, but (at the same time) the public also needs to be able to rebuild that trust in it.
“We need transparency for that to take place.”