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I refer to the Malaysiakini report Show road map on press freedom, Najib told .

This is the 16th year that the UN has commemorated World Press Freedom Day on May 3. In a statement marking the day, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that a free press played an important roll in solving the world's problems and gave a voice to minorities and also called on all governments to ensure that the rights of journalists are respected.

All this reminds us of one simple fact - the vital importance of this core freedom in any democratic country. Ideally, May 3 should be the day on which citizens of every democratic country celebrate the vital and indispensable role played by journalists in reporting news, providing a platform for discussion and exposing abuses of power while fulfilling the other functions of a newspaper.

Tall order, some may say. True. Some of us may overlook the fact that as far back as 1948, many nations enshrined in the Universal Declaration on Human Rights the fundamental principle that everyone ‘has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.'

I find it both tragic and ironic that such rights are subjective in many democratic countries. While there are leaders who are autocratic in limiting such freedom, others waltz around gleefully spinning a yarn about how freedom of expression exists provided one behaves himself.

Or worse still, they fan the fires of denial and pull wool over the eyes of the masses in waving their magic wand to redefine the meaning of freedom, or using the carrot and stick policy via licenses to ensure that those concerned conform to official expectations regarding what is or is not to be reported.

Can you imagine that ‘The Star' and NST have not mentioned this at all? Beyond the cosmetic and token speeches of celebration for this supposedly important day in other countries, we need to ask ourselves if we have a government that believes in the effective and accurate dissemination of information and remains deeply committed to the freedom of the press.

Does our government understand and appreciate the responsibilities of the media and the fact that these responsibilities can only be fulfilled through the freedom of the press, which in turn, is guaranteed by our democratic government committed to upholding the constitution?

But to do that, there has to be a sustained democratic government that can guarantee civil rights and liberties. Is it possible?

True blue journalists investigate sensitive issues, unveil disturbing truths and question policies and in doing so, find themselves in the firing line of those directly or indirectly exposed by their reports. How has this affected the way journalists/reporters report news?

Ideally, in any country that supposedly practises democracy, there should be freedom of expression and freedom of the press. I believe there should be democracy in the mass media whereby the press practises mature journalistic principles to produce reports that inform and empower members of society thereby enhancing democratic values in the country and enabling the citizens to be informed and in the know about current events.

The public are the customers of the mainstream media so the latter should be accountable to the public in creating a democratic expression of truth. Is this the case in Malaysia?

Any news blackout in any democratic country indirectly shows the increased domination of that government over the mass media and the shrinking freedom of expression in that country.

Some authorities may speak so much about reforming the mass media, establishing certain organisations and strengthening public service broadcasting. However if and when they do just the opposite, then the ones to suffer are the masses.

Theoretically, when the media dances to the tune of the authorities, media content would be sharply influenced because the range of news and opinions would be limited and distorted and biased reporting would be more likely to occur.

The media could be in a state of cognitive dissonance - torn between factual reporting and conforming to the demands of the authorities. In time to come, would they be robbed not only of their ‘voice' but also their ‘conscience' when they cower to the demands and observe boundaries set by the authorities?

So what are we to do now? Celebrate World Press Freedom and be glad for the mainstream media? Or shake our heads in dismay and wonder....

To end on a positive note, I applaud the effort of genuine journalists and truly independent news organisations in the world that live up to the principles of journalism. Because of you guys - there is meaning to World Press Dreedom day!

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