Its May 3 once again and a variety of articles on press freedom litters your website. I think that is probably the most important date to remember in Malaysia on account of the lack of press freedom that we seem to have.

Only trouble is, I think those who continue to write about the lack of press freedom, rail and berate the government for this lack of freedom are taking themselves too seriously and are deluded to think that people actually give a damn about press freedom or a bunch of people on a hunger strike for whatever reason.

I, for the record, do, but its up to the journalists and the media owners to figure that one out. If they don't, then don't buy or read or watch whatever they come out with. Having said that, I rely on the Internet for most of my diet of news and this access to malaysiakini is courtesy of a patron. But that's me.

There can never be enough access to information or news — be it the right kind or the wrong kind but to go on and on about it is anyones and everyone's right though it is quite painful to read. Time and again.

As for editorial independence, I don't think any media group or organisation in Malaysia can claim to be independent of bias or influence from others. And most do not claim so. If anyone expects that, good luck!

For what is said and done, the local media is not doing too badly although the contents are as pathetic as ever. Be that as it may, they are making money and their shareholders and advertisers are not complaining. and even Harakah , with its limited frequency and circulation, is actually seeing its entire print-run sold out.

So, all media is business, be it the newspapers, television, radio and even the Internet. If you don't make money, that's that and no amount of "free press" can make the media continue. Unless the media group has access to some sugardaddy with very deep pockets.

Continue to celebrate May 3 for press freedom and to press, pun intended, the government of the day to repeal laws that control the press. But I don't think this government or one comprising the alternative, will ever set the press free from any law.

Because its their right to do so, thanks to those who vote them in.