My past and current occupation has taken me far and wide. While we celebrate 50 years of independence from Colonial Rule, the media can’t proclaim the same. Impartiality, fairness and equality are far from being practiced in any main stream media in Malaysia. The general public is being fed lies upon lies day in and day out. I am so very thankful that I have the internet and cable television where I get more credible news and updates on what is really happening in our own country. What a sad state of affairs one would think. However that’s the simple truth.
In all of my travels, more so in western countries I witnessed ‘Freedom of the Press’ in the true sense of the word. The media, be it print, television or electronic portray the news and events as they are. For a very long time the public here in Malaysia is denied of such reporting. The ‘Bersih’ walk is just one example of how the media here has misreported the whole event. However, we who have access to the internet and international news coverage know better. There is no need for me to reiterate what actually happened on that HISTORIC DAY.
If we are to be considered as a Developed Country by 2020, we need to unshackle the press. Freedom of the press is one of many factors which will determine Malaysia being recognized as a developed nation. Until it is proven so, there is no way the international community will acknowledge our status. I sincerely believe that there are reporters and journalists in the main stream media who are earnest and honest in what they want to report. However, if they are still restricted in doing so by the powers that be how can we say that Freedom of the Press is alive and well here in Malaysia. Control and manipulation of what is being printed and broadcasted is clearly being practiced by the state. One only needs to exercise his or her basic logic to see through it.
It is also very evident that the state uses the media for its own personal benefit and glorification. However they fail to realize or are oblivious to the fact that the Malaysian public has matured and are more intelligent. We the public now are beyond the lot that takes everything being reported as gospel or lock stock and barrel.
The media must be allowed to tell both sides of the story. The media has a social responsibility to the public to do so. They cannot and must not be curtailed or restricted in reporting what is right and detailing all facts. Personally I remain impartial until I have been given both sides of a report before I make any judgment. However I am denied the whole facts as the media here only reports one side of the story. One clear example is the opposition has never been given the ‘PROPER’ opportunity to express themselves. Coverage for the opposition is very limited if any at all.
Having spent time in many developed countries like the US and UK both the ruling government and the opposition are given equal time and opportunity in as far as the press is concerned. Isn’t that what Democracy is all about? Having the freedom to express ourselves and be heard? Be it a ruling government official or a member of the opposition? How are we to exercise our democratic right as citizens to choose who is to lead us if only members of the ruling party is given the opportunity.
Facts must never be distorted or held back. It is the whole truth or nothing at all. Both sides must be given equal opportunity to speak or be heard. Like it or not the media has a role to play and has a social responsibility. History has shown in many countries around the world that the media has had a hand in exposing corrupt officials and corrupt practices. Why is not evident here in Malaysia one would think. It is definitely not due to the lack of quality reporters and or news editors. State control is the issue here and nothing more. More often than not ‘small frys’ are exposed but never the ‘big fish’. Until such time a level playing field is evident I personally have my doubts on the credibility of our news media. Do we have to wait for another 50 years to go by before we really see Freedom of the Press???
1 comment:
Humble Diver,
I appreciate your honest view. I found it difficult to accept too after coming back from studies in UK in 80's. I felt suffocated with the shackles too. However we must realise that we are part of evolution. Our country is evolving. We had been under the yoke of colonisation for long..long time; both colonisation of country and the mind. We were taught that had it not been for the Orang Puteh, we wouldnt be able to even manufacture needles (so much to show of our weakness as a race). The Joginder Singh Jersey History Book that we were taught at school were full of glory to the Orang Puteh and the rising of Dato' Bahaman and others local patriots were taught as revolts. These we learnt in history lessons in our own country after Independance.
Despite the current abhorrence by bloggers of UMNO and what it stand for, History could not be denied. It was UMNO that was fundamental in the struggle for Independance for the land that is our Racial Birth Right. While Indonesia and others have gone the revolution ways and spilled blood, we have gone the peaceful ways. In the process we had bring along Chinese and Indians though `immigrants' to be part of our Independance to satisfy the `divide and rule' policy of the colonial masters. We had to accept that chisel planted in our body that could be used anytime by others to disrupt our harmony. We had seen the split of Singapore from us; our own land given away as sacrifice to strengthen our position here in latter day Malaysia. Our leaders had made hard decision but SAFETY for the Nation and a safe home for us The Malays is paramount. It is not to be undermined by any quarter. Then came the '69 Racial riots. Whatever the real happenings; let historians debate about it, it points to the insecurity of Malays in our own land. We were undermined in economic and corporate fields.
Then Mahathir came along and produce his Malay Dilemma. It caught on. He showed us that whatever we do, we are still marginalised in our own country. He proposed constructive help programmes. Then the Bumiputera Word is coined to legitimise direct help by the Government to the Malays and latter includes Orang Asli as well. All through UMNO had to fight against all the venoms from others and albeit use high handed methods to push through the agenda. We wouldnt be where we are if not for these conscious efforts. Are we already that well ahead in economics and other fields that we could already feel secure enough to remove all those protections?
As I said, we are in process of evolution. Values change. Chinese and Indians are no longer immigrants; they are now Malaysia borned equally Malaysians. But that's where the similiarity ends. Are they as loyal to Malaysia as a home? Look around on the streets, in kampungs, in towns, cities, in cyberspace. Look at TV and radio programmes listen to the talks in cafes, kopitiams... I dont have to tell you or anybody where loyalties are.
There are bounty hunters and opportunists in abundance in the establishment, everybody knows that and we have to fight against these. But at the same time we cannot `nak bunuh nyamuk satu ekor (atau seribu for that matter) kelambu dibakar'. This is our abode, nowhere else. This is our Malaysia; Malay land, nowhere else. We have to keep on evolving into a more free and fair country, with more openness but we cannot afford to uproot the pillars of our existence in the process.
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