Malaysians Say The Darndest Things!

What Is Press Freedom To You?

October 13, 2008

What’s your definition of press freedom? It’s actually quite a tricky question come to think of it.

I believe in the freedom of press. I define freedom of press as the freedom for a reporter or journalist to do their job without having to worry about interference from the government or any other parties interested in distorting the news.

But what is a journalist’s job? Simply put, I define the job of a journalist to be one who informs the public about what’s going on out there based on the facts, or based on eyewitnesses, or based on their own eyes. It’s as simple as that. Therefore, when a journalist or reporter writes a piece in the newspaper which is not based on facts, then that publication has to issue a public apology and retract the article in question. The best way is to do this as soon as possible, so that the damage can be limited.

For the case of Utusan Malaysia’s malicious article (yes, the tone is malicious) basically accusing Teresa Kok of being anti-Islam over the azan issue, it has been disproved and totally discredited. However no apology or retraction was offered. Instead, it has continued to demonize her to the point that she has been put under ISA for 7 days, have molotov cocktail attacks on her family home, and now SMSes propagating violence towards her are circulating around. In fact, the publication had the gall to challenge her to prove her innocence over the azan issue by asking her to take a lie-detector test, even when the mosque authorities had clarified that it had nothing to do with Kok.

In this case, I can hardly defend Utusan Malaysia in the name of press freedom, because the journalist in question was not doing his job of reporting the facts. Even if they were sincere in the mistake and got it wrong, they should still have issued an apology immediately, instead of challenging her to prove her innocence. But Utusan need not worry, for they have a defender of press freedom in Rocky of rocky’s bru fame:

Tabung Azan for Utusan Malaysia. We live in interesting times, where those who complain about the mainstream media being muzzled by the authorities are also the ones who sue these media at the slightest provocation.

DAP’s Teresa Kok has filed a RM30 million suit against Utusan Malaysia, the Bahasa Malaysia daily controlled by Umno, over the azan issue. Another DAP leader has also sued the same newspaper for RM10 million, despite the newspaper having published an apology for a mistake it did in a report affecting the politician.

I’m sorry Rocky, but I don’t deem this incidents as “the slightest provocation”. This is the same paper which has set out all along to paint opposition leaders as anti-Malay, and anti-Islam, and this is not the first time. Even though Karpal Singh got an apology, I doubt if this was the first time Utusan has painted him in a negative light. As for Teresa Kok, the damage has already been done by the article. RM30 million is excessive, but I doubt that the judge would offer her that amount even if she won. So Rocky, we defend what is right, and not what we know to be wrong.

Many would also argue, why so hypocritic? RPK of Malaysia Today how? He also defame leaders like Najib, etc. Well, he’s been sued for defamation already right? And if he thinks he writes the truth, then let him produce the evidence to clear his name in court. Same goes with Utusan Malaysia.

To say I am disappointed with Rocky is a gross understatement. Here’s how the article ends:

I hope politicians will not make it a habit to sue the media, old and new. I hope Theresa would find it fit to withdraw her suit against Utusan Malaysia.

I must applaud Syed Ali Alhabshee’s initiative over the weekend to come to the defence of Utusan Malaysia. Some will see it as a political gimmick, but I see the Umno Cheras’ inititiave for its simple message: if we believe in a freedom, we must defend that freedom at all times.

Here is what Rocky applauds:

Ketuanya, Senator Datuk Wira Syed Ali Alhabshee ketika mengumumkan penubuhan tabung berkenaan menegaskan, UMNO Bahagian Cheras berasa terpanggil dan amat prihatin dengan akhbar Utusan Malaysia yang sedang berjuang untuk menegakkan syiar Islam dan kepentingan orang Melayu.

“Apabila pemimpin DAP itu menyaman akhbar Utusan Malaysia hanya kerana isu laungan azan, maka tindakan Teresa itu seolah-olah mencabar dan menghiris seluruh perasaan umat Islam di negara ini,” jelasnya.

Beliau menjelaskan, akhbar Utusan Malaysia adalah milik orang Melayu dan sinonim dengan perjuangan UMNO, maka tindakan Teresa itu samalah seperti menggugat kepentingan seluruh umat Islam.

Yes, it’s the same old game of linking suing Utusan as an attack on Islam and Malays. And this is not a political gimmick, how?

So readers, what are your views on press freedom? Would you defend it unconditionally even though we know the article or journalist in question is wrong? If one day, Utusan Malaysia publishes an article that calls for violence against all non-Muslims in Malaysia, do you still defend their right to print unconditionally?

Perhaps that’s a question to ponder.

You Might Find These Interesting

• The Sassy MP Kena ISA
• Did RPK Insult Prophet Muhammad?
• Wahai Kawan-Kawan, Bukalah Minda Sikit
• Raised In Parliament: Demolish Christian Statues, Destroy the Crosses
• Batman Will Be Out Soon, Will Malaysia’s Snakewoman Be Out?

Thank you for reading Malaysians Say The Darndest Things! If you like what you just read, you should consider subscribing to this blog in a feedreader. Alternatively, you could also subscribe via email, and you will get a daily digest of the day's posts. Your email is strictly protected and will never be used for spam or marketing purposes.