I refer to Malaysiakini report, Press freedom: Malaysia worst ranking ever . Somehow I am not that surprise that our ranking among the world press have taken a plunge.

Even Information Minister Zainuddin Maidin have told the docile mainstream media not to tell the 'truth' to the prime minster even though the latter had told the public, time and again, not to sugarcoat their views. That Zam can contradict his own boss speak volumes about our leaders' lack of virtue and honesty.

Our leaders seem to be in a state of denial on the sorry situation in this country. They can't handle the truth and expect the press to bury negative news such as endemic corruption, rising crime rate and other social ills in order to give the picture that all is grand and dandy.

But the government is fighting a losing battle to stop the real picture from reaching the public as the availability of Internet access make its impossible for the government to hide their misdeeds. Even in Burma where the ruling junta used brute force to quell dissidents, their brutish behaviour is broadcast for the world to see, thanks to the Internet and other gadgets.

The fourth estate can make a difference in this country if they are free to investigate and report on the misdeeds of those who plundered state assets for their personal gains. But just like the judiciary, the police force, the Anti-Corruption Agency and the attorney-general, they are all beholden to their political masters.

Maybe David Copperfield, the great magician, can do us a favour when he is in town. He can put a spell on those old and tired faces among our political elites and their cohorts and make them disappear. But then again, he is not coming.