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Fearless reporting can only be achieved with a free media environment |
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Local Alerts
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Wednesday, 08 April 2009 |
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In response to the Prime Minister Najib Razak's speech on encouraging a
national dialogue through the media, the Centre for Independent
Journalism (CIJ) asks for a more concrete set of commitments in
realizing the PM's vision. To foster a transparent "national discourse"
that leads to the building of democracy, the government must first and
foremost be willing to let the public set the agenda of the dialogue
through an unrestricted media. Any government attempt to define the
parameters for what constitute "fair" dialogues will not be reflective
of the public's needs.
On 6 April, Najib Razak spoke at the Malaysian Press
Institute about the need for a "national discourse" epitomizing diverse
political views and philosophies and a responsive media that is
fearless and responsible in reporting. While agreeing with the need for
an inclusive national discourse, the vision presupposes certain
conditions which the PM has yet to publicly commit. For one, the public
must be empowered with access to information in order to participate in
an informed and responsible debate. The existing control of information
via the Official Secrets Act and a general culture of governmental
secrecy does not inspire confidence for the new PM's vision. The law
places disproportionate power at the Executive and bureaucrats, instead
of the public for the sake of accountability.
Secondly, licensing of the media continues to impede fearless and
responsible reporting. The licensing requirement and political
ownership in the media create a condition where the ruling government's
agenda could easily dominate the newsroom. As recent as March this
year, deputy home minister Chor Chee Heung acknowledged routine
surveillance and action against the media by the
ministry. Without the relaxation of such controls, the newsroom will
still have to play a cat and mouse game about the spaces they have in
Najib's grand vision.
Thirdly, the public need to be convinced that they can speak out
without any backlash against them. The Sedition Act which covers
sedition and seditious tendencies extremely broadly, as well as the
Internal Security Act, inculcate fear and discourage expression. Far
from defining the rules of expression and encouraging self-regulation,
the laws are a blanket ban that is easily subjected to abuse by the
government.
CIJ calls for the repeal of the above laws as the first in the
series of requirements to meet the vision set forth. In the midst of a
general skepticism against the new administration, Najib must go beyond
the rhetoric to demonstrate the sincerity of his "new way forward".
The Centre for Independent Journalism, Malaysia (CIJ) is a non-profit
organisation that aspires for a society that is democratic, just and
free where all people will enjoy free media and the freedom to express,
seek, and impart information.
Ends
Issued by
Gayathry Venkiteswaran
Executive Director
For more information please contact Wai Fong at 03 40230772
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