Local cum ex-foreigner media journos: Identify yourself...
Pak Lah's senior and junior ministers are starting to frown on the local mainstream media.
Yesterday, Works Minister S. Samy Vellu said the public should lodge complaints or refer their problems that relate to the ministry to him, the ministry's secretary-general or Public Works Department director-general.
"But, if they complain to a television station and want me to answer, it will not happen," he added.
Today, Aisehman says a battle royale is shaping up, pointing to a statement by Deputy Information Minister Zainudin Maidin:
He said that based on the news printed in local newspapers of late, a number of media practitioners did not seem to understand the concept of media freedom in the Malaysian context.When they were given freedom, they could not interpret freedom according to the Malaysia values, instead they immediately compared it with that of the western media mould, he said. [...]
"There is a lot of evidence to show that they (certain media) are not being sensitive towards certain issues. This happens because there are journalists from the local media who, having served with the foreign media, embrace the western style freedom and not freedom the Malaysian way," he said.
Let's make a roll-call of some "journalists from the local media who (have) served with the foreign media"...
- NST: Kalimullah Masheerul Hassan, Straits Times, Singapore
- The Star: Wong Sulong, Radio Australia, Australia
- theSun/The Edge: Ho Kay Tat, Business Times, Australia
- Malaysiakini: Steven Gan, The Nation, Thailand
- NST: Rajan Moses, Reuters
Please help complete the roll-call.
But how about those "journalists from the local media who (have) served with the foreign media" who have "embraced the western style freedom"? Brendan Pereira had a preemptive strike one day before ZAM opened his mouth.
REMINDER: Please re-read earlier blog entry on Dr Eric Loo's article: Wither Malaysian journalism?
Comments
How about Malaysian reporters and journalists working for foreign media?
For example, both the Singapore Straits Times and Business Times newspapers have full-time reporters based in KL. They often write critical reports and analyses on developments in Malaysia. Are they deemed to be less loyal because of what they write?
It seems that certain holdovers from the previous administration are uncomfortable with the increased level of scrutiny from the media and the public. No surprises there!
Posted by: Spock![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jeffooi.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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February 14, 2006 09:11 AM
The deputy Information Minister is speaking out of his nether orifices. There is no such thing as Western style freedom and Malaysian style freedom.
There is only Freedom and Repression.
To term all the censorship and political interference in the Press here “Malaysian Press Freedom” is, IMHO, an insult to Freedom, the Press and Malaysians.
Posted by: Viceice![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jeffooi.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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February 14, 2006 10:16 AM
Definition of Bolehland press freedom.
1. Ruling party has the freedom to say anything, including "sensitive issues".
2. Ruling party has the freedom to define what topics is sensitive
3. Ruling party has the freedom to press the press.
4. Ruling party has the freedom to denied and blame it on media "misguided" writing, even the media still holding the voice record
5. Ruling party has the freedom to ask the journalist to destroy and voice recorded proof of their politikus misbehaviour.
6. Ruling party has the rights to change the rule set of "press freedom", anytime, anywhere.
Posted by: moo_t![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jeffooi.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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February 14, 2006 11:15 AM
well said, viceice.
If anything, the local press has been so docile in the majority that the few "former journos working in the foreign agencies" slowly -- some rather quickly" - are COOPTED into the system which is always pro-Status quo..becos the owners are mostly Barisan Nasional component parties linked (UMNO with NSTP / Berita Harian group, MCA with The Star and Nanyang group ...).
Don't ape the western press -- I'm all for them ape-ing the press if they are after the Best Practices and Ideals of the 4th Estate, which transcends western and eastern societies! We are all born inclined to treasure Freedom, yes,"most honourable" Deputy Minister?
Posted by: desiderata![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jeffooi.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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February 14, 2006 11:16 AM
all makan gaji..so they will write what the bosses want to see in print.
Jounalistic principles? hahaha.
Posted by: art chan![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jeffooi.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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February 14, 2006 01:51 PM