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Stand up for what you write, Nadeswaran urges journalists
Published:  May 2, 2017 12:49 PM
Updated: 6:03 AM

Veteran investigative journalist R Nadeswaran has urged journalists to stand up for what they write because the law has enough provisions that protect good, responsible journalism.

“Journalists should stand up for what they are writing. I think if journalists work within the boundaries of the law and know the defences and remedies available to them, there is enough protection for them,” he told Malaysiakini.

A journalist for more than 45 years, Nadeswaran began his career as a sportswriter with The Malay Mail and later “did foreign news, business news, all kinds of things”.

“And then, in between it all, I got my law degree at a ripe age of 47,” he quipped.

Nadeswaran, who was previously the special and investigative reports editor at theSun, believes journalists need to arm themselves with proof and justifications for their stories.

“Proof is the best defence for defamation. Use the truth,” he said.

As knowledgeable about the law as he is about journalism, Nadeswaran will be speaking on both topics this Saturday (May 6) at the “Can Media and Law Co-exist?” forum organised by the Malaysian Bar Council and Malaysiakini.

He referred to the recent Parliament directive that barred journalists from stationing themselves at the hallways of the Dewan Rakyat, restricting them only to the press centre and media gallery.

“At this moment when freedom of speech is being challenged, it's all the more reason that journalists need to equip themselves,” he said.

Nadeswaran, who retired last December, released his book “Curi-Curi Malaysia - The Stories Behind The Stories” in March.

R Nadeswaran will be speaking at the “Can Media and Law co-exist?” forum on May 6, hosted by the Malaysian Bar Council and Malaysiakini. His segment is entitled “The Editor’s Desk: Journalistic Expression and The Editor”.

Book your seats now for RM53 to learn from the veteran investigative journalist as well as from political cartoonist Zunar, Malaysiakini editor-in-chief Steven Gan, writer Sheena Gurbakhash and lawyers K Shanmuga, Choo Dee Wei and T Sudharsanan.

For further enquiries, kindly contact Mohd Fazli Rosman or Roslan Mahamud at +603-2050 2111 or email [email protected]. This programme carries 5 CPD points for lawyers.

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