I wish to comment on the report Media blackout on high profile khalwat cases . I disagree with certain opposition member's argument that VIPs must also face the same humiliation as the common man (non-VIPs). The truth is that if you are not a VIP, your khalwat trial would unlikely be reported in the media. In fact, the religious officers will most probably be disinterested in going after you.

I feel that the local dailies have unfairly tried Ghafar Baba's wife through the use of the mass media. The media has a responsibility to wait until the judge decides whether a prima facie case exists against the accused. It is possible that a person was arrested based on fitnah (slander).

Yet, in this case, the media reports it even before it reaches the trial stage. Worse still, the court order not to report it has fallen on deaf ears or even worse, contemptuous ones.

In all fairness, VIPs have a right to privacy too. The media should stop behaving like the "paparazzi" who hunt down famous people to satiate the public lust for scandals.