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The real meaning of press freedom
Published:  Mar 11, 2012 9:59 AM
Updated: 2:01 AM

YOURSAY 'What is free press? It is not freedom of expression. It should be the complete removal of restrictions to own a mainstream media.'

The press gangs of Malaysia

your say Ferdtan: What is free press? It is not freedom of expression. It should be the complete removal of restrictions to own a mainstream media as imposed by the authorities.

Any companies or individuals who desired one should be given, without exception, a licence to operate. The only restriction I can think of is the foreign-owned ones as the country may be afraid of compromising its internal security.

Let the fittest survive - in terms of readers and its financial viability. The companies must follow the same rules and given an equal ability to compete on level-playing field. We shouldn't be worried with partisan reporting, and even the neutrality of journalists.

All must be allowed (they too have rights), and it is up to the people to accept or reject them. In another words, free press is for all - say what you want and do what you want (of course, with guidelines applying to all) - and no restrictions on next guy who wants to say his/her piece.

Let the people decide - to choose what to read or not to read.

Nik V: I've followed your occasional pieces, S Thayaparan. And they are filled with well-thought through wisdom and understanding.

Unfortunately, we've allowed our country to be run by a regime that insists on holding on to its power by continuing to propagate fear via its divide-and-rule propaganda.

Why I say, "we've allowed" is because many of us complain and want change, but continue to buy the mainstream newspapers because we need our daily dose of news.

Many complain, but still continue to split their votes supporting the current regime for the federal seats and giving only the state seats to Pakatan Rakyat.

Some don't even show up to vote, not realising that every vote counts. Worst still, some complain but haven't even registered to vote, not understanding the power of their one vote.

Until we understand that for change to happen, we first have to change and get uncomfortable. Till then, the BN regime will continue to have its majority in the next general elections.

Onyourtoes: Please save us the agony of reading this long and tedious piece. Simply put, there is no free press, there is no such a thing as fair reporting and there is also no "without fear and favour" reporting.

There are bound to have bias and personal preferences by the news organisations, the journalists themselves and those who are able to "influence" the news through money, power and state apparatus.

How then should a society get its correct information? Allow freedom of expression; it does not matter this very freedom will be subjected to abuse. The truth will prevail if many views are allowed to flow freely.

Truth will prevail if views and ideas are subjected to scrutiny and challenge. Our country would not have come to this stage if some of the moronic nation-building agenda was subjected to challenge from the very beginning.

Clever voter: The quality of media reporting from controlled press is far from world class. Not only it lacks the investigative element, it is also lack in responsibility.

Media reporting even in UK recently has been criticised for its lack of attention to public interest.

Social media has now become an alternative source of news, and even then we need to be careful what it reports, and whose interest it serves.

Cala: This article is rather long for anyone who wishes to grasp the gist of argument quickly.

To expect true freedom of the press the way the West does is premature at the moment because it is in the interest of the powers-that-be to prolong its rule by keeping the press subdue and obedience.

To achieve this overarching goal, the mainstream media tends to follow its masters' instruction by publishing stories that paint them in good light. As it is, Malaysia resembles more of a tribal society, hence a far cry from the model of the West.

Alternative media such as Malaysiakini certainly has a role to play in shaping the real agenda as society evolves to be more Westernised and democratic.

A respectable alternative media is a force to be reckoned with in containing/checking abuses of any Third World regime.

Dood : It won't matter if the media is biased or not if people have free access to alternative news.

Unfortunately, the problem in Malaysia is twofold: One, the media is severely restricted. Sure, you can find alternative news online or through other sources, but we are not a first-world country where everyone has easy access to the Internet and other sources.

For many rural and poorer folk, the severely controlled and biased mainstream media is their only source of news.

Two, the education and culture in Malaysia is such that many people have been taught to value submissiveness and obedience rather than critical thinking.

Even some people who have access to alternative views shun them for fear that it is "not the right thing to do" (i.e. following alternative news is like being anti-government, which in turn is considered a big no-no), or are simply so brainwashed that they believe whatever lies that are being churned out by the mainstream media.

This is why media bias is a big thing.

Bertrand Russell: I just switched my newspaper from The Star to the Malay Mail this morning, hoping for the impossible - news written without bias.

The journalist of the mainstream papers are a controlled lot, left unable to express themselves. Some of them might have sold their soul and conscience.

I compare our journalists to those in North Korea, who might even cry and wail when BN losses the next general election.

 


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