Screenshots: Playing poker... and a newspaper

Those who know Malaysian journalists should know which poker-player has occupied the news-room.

Someone says BBDO gets US$1 million to devise a facelift. Do I see poker faces around?

There, a preacher is allowed to shoot from the hip -- passing judgment without watching the movie -- and the Poker Group gives him big title in lower casing... assistant entertainment editor. And in today's column, the No. 3 writes as if that asshole works in The Star.

Now, that's real crap.

The New Straits Times May 22, 2006

Brendan Pereira on Monday:
Research can save the teeth-gnashing

IF there is one trend in Malaysia that must be resisted, then it is this: the growing habit of shooting from the hip.

Two examples come to mind.

Example Number One: Some journalists and politicians panned the movie The Last Communist and wanted it banned for "glorifying" Chin Peng, the leader of the now defunct Communist Party of Malaya.

Wonder how they were able to pass judgment without watching the movie?

Example Number Two: Some critics wanted to stop a group of non-governmental organisations from having a forum in Penang. They argued that this was an insidious attempt to discuss inter-faith issues and marginalise Syariah law.

The organisers of the forum, titled "Federal Constitution: Protection for All", said that the thrust of discussion was on the supremacy of the Federal Constitution and rights guaranteed.

Seems to me that in both examples, much confusion and angst could have been avoided if only the critics had held off reaching a conclusion before doing some research.

Most people are in favour of debate and dissent. But it must be informed debate and dissent.

Comments

you got some grudge against nst or with some personality in nst Jeff? On BBDO, they are a global company, and global companies get all the money. Hail globlisation!

Posted by: sydput | May 22, 2006 12:37 PM

Huh? Sorry, can't get the last part about the No3, Star and crap etc. You alright Jeff?

JEFF OOI says: If you think Syed Nadzri is de facto No. 3, then you better learn how to count.

Posted by: huajern | May 22, 2006 12:42 PM

I believe what Jeff is trying to get at is that Brendan wrote as if the ASSistant entertainment editor in question (of Berita Harian) has nothing to do with the NST. QED.

Posted by: walski69 | May 22, 2006 12:59 PM

Jeff, it seems that all you're doing nowadays is scouring the NST everyday to look for something new you can bash on your blog in cryptic messages.

What happened to your thoughtful insights on local happenings?

And there's no reason to be rude to sydput. After all, you didn't exactly post the clearest of statements in your post.

Posted by: holiday | May 22, 2006 02:49 PM

i guess jeff is just frustrated with so many morons running around..and the saddest part is..most of them are running the country...or i might be wrong...ignore me..hehe

JEFF OOI says: Many shut an eye while some close one and shut the other. What I said is obvious. In journalism, you can't allow Berita Harian's asshole assistant entertainment editor to prejudicially judge Amir Muhammad's documentary (The last Communist) WITHOUT watching it. And you can't allow another editor to pass self-righteous comment as if nothing has happened in the Malay paper that Hishamuddin Aun edits. You have to respect your own profession before inviting others to do the same.

Posted by: arty | May 22, 2006 03:35 PM

"Research can save the teeth-gnashing"

Research? OMG. This is f*cking hilarious. If those hooligans did not do their research, they will not appear at the right time,right venue to pursue their disgusting political course.

Posted by: moo_t | May 22, 2006 03:40 PM

The ASSistant entertainment editor.. bloody racist..

Posted by: mlkview | May 22, 2006 05:45 PM

Hypocrisy?

I seriously wonder why someone shouldn't bash the media for its fault? Why should such an important entity get away with it?

IMO, this post is insightful. The media in the country is obviously lacks integrity.

Posted by: |^2SaNe| | May 22, 2006 07:08 PM

Pls welcome Rocky, former chief of Malay Mail into blogsphere.

Posted by: zorro | May 22, 2006 08:36 PM

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