COMMENT | OSA should be replaced with law on right to information

COMMENT | The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) takes note of Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador's reported remarks in the media that warned police officers and staff not to reveal or share investigation reports to the public or post them on social media - or risk being investigated under the Official Secrets Act 1972 (OSA).

Hamid also said that it is an offence for victims to leak police reports online.

We take stock and are aware of the importance of protecting private information from being arbitrarily revealed and subjected to abuse, and relatedly acknowledge the need to curtail such acts through the use of the law.

However, the state should balance freedom of expression and right to information and, at the same time, protect privacy and ensure data protection by using other existing laws, and not apply the fundamentally-flawed OSA.

As a freedom of expression watchdog, CIJ is concerned that the OSA continues to be used by the state and its apparatus...