WHOM should the media be accountable to – the public or the government? Judging from the Home Ministry’s refusal to renew the permit of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) newspaper Suara Keadilan, it appears the government is still intent on making the media answerable to it. The ministry was apparently “not satisfied” with Suara Keadilan’s response […]
media freedom
Protesting RTM’s censorship
A DEMONSTRATION was held on 19 May 2010 outside RTM headquarters Angkasapuri in Kuala Lumpur calling for media freedom and to protest the termination of former RTM producer Chou Z Lam. Chou alleges that his documentary over the impact of the Bakun Dam on indigenous people in Sarawak was cancelled because of RTM’s leadership’s fears […]
Mohd Hatta Ramli (Kuala Krai)
KUALA Krai Member of Parliament (MP) Dr Mohd Hatta Ramli’s response to the MP Watch: Eye on Parliament project, which asks all 222 MPs six questions. (source: parlimen.gov.my) Name: Dr Mohd Hatta RamliConstituency: Kuala Krai Party: PAS (Opposition) Years as MP: Since 2008 Government position: None Party position: Treasurer Central committee member Membership in parliamentary committees or caucuses: None Blog/Website: http://hattaramli.blogspot.com/ Would you support […]
Najib’s version of media freedom
“As long as the reports do not run foul of our existing laws, the press is free to report on pretty much anything.” PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, denying that Malaysia lacked press freedom and saying that such accusations were grossly unfair. Najib said this to journalists and the business fraternity before giving out […]
Regaining our Malaysian voice
(Pic by Yamamoto Ortiz / sxc.hu) MY New Year wish for all Malaysians is that we will regain our voice. We face an uncertain 2010. But if we are to become politically stable and economically secure, it is now, more than ever, that we need to be able to be openly critical of outdated policies […]
Where’s the BN’s commitment?
(Source: un.org) THERE was some cheer for me on World Press Freedom Day this year. It was provided by a press release from the Selangor government. To commemorate the annual celebration on 3 May, Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim spelt out clearly what his government was doing to promote press freedom. In early […]
Serving the BN
“I will be looking at the role of television and radio stations in nation building. There are 34 radio stations under the government.” INFORMATION, Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim, who blamed the Barisan Nasional (BN)’s recent poor elections performance on private television and radio stations that did not “carry messages good […]
What media freedom, prime minister?
ON 6 April 2009, three days after he was made prime minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak spoke about a new way forward in policy, politics and the media. To many in the media, his rhetoric about a “vibrant, free and informed media” was welcome, especially in an environment where government control of the traditional media […]
Online news site barred from PM’s office
(Najib pic courtesy of theSun) PETALING JAYA, 9 April 2009: Chinese online news site Merdeka Review was barred from entering the Prime Minister’s Department today to report on the announcement of the new cabinet. The order to bar Merdeka Review‘s reporter and photographer was issued by the prime minister’s office, according to an officer who […]
Media freedom should not be constrained
WITH reference to the recent three-month suspension on Harakah and Suara Keadilan, Kedah Gerakan Youth feels there is a serious need to consider amendments to the Printing Presses &and Publication Act 1984 (PPPA) so as not to affect the media freedom in the country. Kedah Gerakan Youth believes there are sufficient civil laws in our […]
