by Nazim Nasri
While the press in Malaysia may, to a certain extent, face
fewer hurdles in their duty of informing the public compared with their
comrades in some countries, it is no reason for complacency, says a media
doyen. This is because there is no guarantee of press freedom in Malaysia.
However, there was no country in the world that practises absolute media
freedom and said critics should take into account Malaysia's multiracial
society with its diverse religions and cultures.
“Actually with the advent on Internet, our media in Malaysia
already divided into two; government and opposition. But both enjoyed freedom
equally, even though the medium is different,”
The opposition side will not able to use media traditional
(television) fully as much as the government will not be able to curb flows of
information via Internet made by the oppositions. However, Ted said thanks to
new media revolution, Bersih rally for example has been shared on social media
platforms. But no matter how material facts about the rally can be seen, does
allow media freedom (or freedom to rally) really aimed to express people
discontent?
The idea of media freedom for both government and opposition
in the end will not benefit the public interest. Media freedom as per claimed
by both parties actually more reveal Malaysian people weakness in choosing
ethical choice. Other than that, media freedom in Malaysia should need to be
confined. No need to have a media freedom, we are far from receiving fair and
accurate reporting. RTM and TV3 are governed by the government. Mainstream
newspaper are owned by political parties, there’s no such thing as media
freedom in Malaysia.
In essentially our
media in Malaysia still not free. That is why in Malaysia we have Pindaan
Undang-Undang Akta Media Cetak dan Penerbitan. This law, which he called “a
relic of the past”, should go since there already were more than 20 other
laws that could be used to regulate the media.
“Because of the internet penetration Malaysia. Remember 2008?
I remember feeling similar of optimism.”
Analyst claimed that Barisan Nasional failed to achieve the
crucial two-thirds majority because young voters were able to access websites
offering alternative news and commentaries. Of course the amendment to include
the internet as one of the great areas of its power to keep sensitivity
especially races in Malaysia. He completely agrees with the move. For example
imagine if a Malay can purposely and allowedly called an Indian as pariah freely? It would be a disaster.
But when blogs able to gain more readerships, the government
became concern. Raja Petra’s blog I remember captured more readers than NST. Of
course Raja Petra at that time was a threat. We are still lucky that our
government was nothing near the China government. In China, we can’t even use
Youtube or Facebook. So the government is concern but not to the extent of
curbing social media sites.
As you know, in our country we don’t have an act for a blog
writer. Means that when a blogger write an entry with sensitive issues they
only remand for investigation. For example such a contempt case Agong or
Sultan, in this case there is no further action to clarify the case. Mostly the
case is disappeared.
Why the government introduced Act 114A? Reputedly for the accuser to defend their writings if the article was doubtful
or defamation.
But the Act is not only stupid, made with rush and so oblivions
to the voices of Malaysia. The Act will be revised as it’s a threat towards the
right of freedom expression. I personally think that certain Act (similar the
Act 114A) should be govern with a bit more integrity. We can’t caught the all
the blogger and put in the prison.
Special cases like contempt case Agong or Sultan, writing
seditious, defamatory content must have different Act because if not in the
right way, the story seems like a defamation is really happen and the
government will also be in the losing end if the story actually is true. In
going hunting that supposedly defamed them, actually the story was right, danger.
Mainstream media in
Malaysia is mainly owned by political parties and heavily regulated by
government. Censorship is applied to control media content to
avoid unnecessary disturbance to the “national” security. Most Malaysians read and listen to
information that has been censored and filtered by the government. Clearly,
there is a tight relationship between the press and the political parties in
the ruling coalition.
The party-owned media get to control
the media and this allows them to have the power to decide on the scope and
nature of the media content. This makes it difficult for the journalist as they
are merely a part of the government’s propaganda machines and not professionals
performing their duties to the best of their abilities. This situation also
makes it hard for the citizens to exercise their
“If the media in Malaysia were
freedom, government will not handle the whole media for example Utusan Malaysia
and TV3”
This thing happen because they want to
gained the trust from public what they want to say. They don’t want Malaysians
to be critical thinker. Our media is already tied to government. They have law
for it. Is not same like U.S, they have freedom in media.
In between, some media’s has been paid
with large amount by government to filter the stories. Look at TV3, if
government not support them indeed already do not exist. Malaysians especially
the Malays should be critical thinker and the government should trust the media.
Our Malays still minded retarded. Gov should trust the media, trust that the
media not misuse the freedom that has been given by Gov.
About 50 plus members
from various media, including staff from Malaysiakini portal held a 30-minute
silent protest outside their office just this afternoon. Most journalists wore
black and held placards condemning the assaults and calling for a stop to
violence.
Attacking
journalists is not the way to portray Malaysia to the world. Whether we like it
or not, journalists have to do their job as well and this applies for foreign
media too. I believe the abuses and attacks by the gov, police and FRU on the
journalists was uncalled for and unwarranted. It has created an atmosphere of
suspicion, distrust and even hatred towards this ruling gov.
After all said and done, I am not in
the least surprised that the authorities perpetuated this. It only shows that
our govt is scared of the truth going out there to the world, not only within
Malaysia. It’s sad that this has happened. It shouldn't have. For all those
journalists injured or/and in hospital like the poor Sun reporter with a
fracture, hope you recover real soon and return to what you do best, telling the
truth. Because we need to read what is really going on. Malaysia is a divided
nation and we need to regain our Humanity or else it only spells doom for us
all.
So, the
freedom of the press will insure our own freedoms. However, our press is no
longer free as it is monopolized by big money and you can certainly see this
freedom sucked away on so much TV news. The honesty in our newspapers is
beginning to fail too.
*this is part of my last assignment Writing for Mass Media. There is a lot of grammatical error and I don't know how to write in proper sentences. hmm anyway ini adalah pendapat individu. Mohon tidak disalah erti dan disalah tafsir*
