KUALA LUMPUR, March 28 — The Home Ministry will not ban news outlets from covering events at its main office in Putrajaya but will instead restrict access to those that practise “ethical” journalism, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said today.

The home minister added that while invitations were usually issued to all news outlets, entry into government premises is still subject to certain rules and regulations, namely journalists must have legitimate accreditation tags issued by the Information Department under the Communications and Multimedia Ministry.

“Priority is for employees/media agency representatives who practise professionalism and observe journalism ethics when doing news coverage in reporting and publishing news for the public,” he said in a written parliamentary reply to Ampang MP Zuraida Kamaruddin.

He also contrasted the federal government screening action on journalists to an unnamed “non-Barisan Nasional governed state” that he said had banned certain reporters or media from covering official functions.

Zuraida had asked Ahmad Zahid to state if alternative media agencies such as Malaysiakini and the now defunct The Malaysian Insider (TMI) are banned from covering the Home Ministry’s functions at its head office despite its reporters having legitimate media cards.