Star Publications' proposed bid to buy Nanyang Press is a blow to press freedom as the media should not be monopolised by political parties and commercial interests allied to them, said a media reform group.

Charter 2000, an initiative of social reform group Aliran which is calling for the "democratisation of the media", is concerned about the diminishing space for independent reporting.

"Even slightly critical or independent publications may find themselves shut down or gobbled up by pro-establishment individuals, firms or political parties," said the Charter's joint coordinator Anil Netto.

Anil said the group was concerned because the Chinese-language press have been known for relatively independent reporting and has at times embarrassed MCA, a ruling coalition partner of the present government.

"Such independent reporting is in contrast to The Star , a solidly pro-establishment English daily," he added.

Recently, it was reported that Star Publications was seeking to acquire Nanyang Press which publishes two major Chinese dailies - Nanyang Siang Pau and China Press .

Star Publications, which is controlled by MCA through its investment arm Huaren Holdings, publishes the top-selling English tabloid The Star .

When news of the proposed takeover bid hit town, many voiced their disapproval and claimed that MCA was attempting to widen its propaganda machinery since the party was said to be suffering a popularity crisis.

Last Saturday, a group of minority shareholders wrote to Nanyang Press executive chairperson Quek Leng Chan, urging him not to "relinquish control" of the two vernacular newspapers to a "Chinese-based Barisan Nasional component party".

Alternative channels

Anil also noted that in recent years, the media had become increasingly corporatised in tandem with greater control by political and economic interests.

"With the drift towards markets and profits, the interests of sections of society who fall outside the elite's sphere of influence have been increasingly neglected and stifled.

"It is therefore crucial to allow for a multitude of independent media to provide for alternative channels for expressing the aspirations of an economically and socially diverse and plural society," he said.

Anil called upon Hume Industries, which has the controlling stake in Nanyang, to carefully weigh all factors including the larger interests of media freedom before making any decision to sell Nanyang.

"We also hope other organisations, including the National Union of Journalists, will raise their voice in defence of media freedom, which appears to be increasingly threatened," he said.

Meanwhile, a DAP delegation of three members of parliament presented a memorandum on the matter to the Human Rights Commission today.

The opposition party expressed alarm about greater "political ownership" of Malaysia's mainstream media.

"One of the factors undermining a free, independent and responsible press is the political ownership of the media in the country, which has already become too rampant," said DAP in the memorandum.