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It’s a sad day for free speech when the Home Affairs Ministry ‘banned’ the Tamil Daily Makkal Osai a few days ago. When contacted, the Home Affairs Minister chose to get technical and said that it was ‘not a ban’ and that the Ministry simply ‘chose not to renew’ the daily’s permit.
Free speech is not a privilege that can be bestowed and revoked at the government’s wish. It is an inalienable right which can only be curtailed by law when that freedom is abused in such a way that it injures another or poses a threat to national security. Granted that we have laws regulating press and publication, the Home Affairs Ministry should not be fast to use its discretionary powers to curtail freedom of expression.
The Ministry should give detailed reasons as to why the daily’s permit was not renewed. A mere statement that it ‘violated guidelines threatening racial harmony’ is insufficient. If in fact the daily had violated the guidelines, then the Ministry should list the ‘violating’ articles that ‘threaten racial harmony’ of this country. This will allow readers to judge for themselves if the articles were in fact a ‘threat to racial harmony’ and thus the appropriateness of the Ministry’s move.
Previously the Ministry imposed a one month ban on Makkal Osai for its front page publication of a picture of Jesus with a beer can in hand. In that case the Ministry was specific about the offending picture and the ban was generally accepted. The absence of specifics will give rise to speculations which will be damaging to the government. As a friend once said, “they can muffle the voice but the whispers travel faster and are more damaging”.
To be clear, I am not a great fan of that daily. I find its reporting often one-sided and at times, vindictive. However, so long as it keeps within the frame-work the law, its permit should not be revoked, no matter how uncomfortable one might feel towards its reporting.
The Ministry’s move to ‘ban’ the daily will further erode people’s trust and reliance on the mainstream media. This cannot be good for the nation.
With the advent of internet, the flow information can no longer be regulated. There are bound to be misinformation in the media and not all of it can be weeded-out by the government. Except in extreme cases, it is best that the government allows citizens to sieve for themselves the truth from half-truths and lies.
We cannot march towards becoming a great nation by trampling on freedom of expression.
Murugesan Sinnandavar
http://s-murugesan.blogspot.com/
4 comments:
I totally agree with you on this one. The government’s claim that it “simply chose not to renew” Makkal Ossai’s permit is complete rubbish. They must think the Malaysian people are fools by trying to mislead us with their deceptive statements. A ban is a ban and this is clearly a ban! Their statement is just derisive arrogance.
It appears as if this government is just set on running themselves aground. They are making the work of the opposition much easier. Haven’t they learnt anything from the results of the last election?
Selva
K.L
Well said but it's look like the umno@bn refuse to learn from the twelve general election. If umno continuoulsy run the govt as though they has win with the landslide victory then I believe they are heading towards to form the opposition bench in 13th general election.
again, the one-sided unilateral decision by UMNO will always overide what other component parties of BN says regarding any issue. MCA,gerakan and even MIC is calling for a free-er media and for Makkal Osai to be given their annual permit, but it seems like the ministry cares not at all.
the Printing and Publication Act (or sum name like tat :p ) must be re looked at , more freedom must be given to our mainstream media and the annual renewal permit for newspapers must be abolished.
sir, ur in MIC CWC, how can MIC play an effective role in making sure the government, which MIC is part of, acts positively to the needs of the people? How can the press/media be made more neutral and free from state-sanctioned restrictions?
Mahendran :)
Thank you Mr Selva, Mr Raveendran and Mr Mahendran for your comments.
I agree with Mr Mahendran that we should abolish the renewal of annual permit. It amounts to holding the press at ransom. A free and vigilant press is good for the action and the government. In fact a vigilant press will assist the government in carrying out its monitoring function.
MIC is part of the government but it sits there as the representative of the people. It is our duty be an effective channel of the people's concern and aspiration in the government. When we are not effective in performing this function, people will reject us. What is MIC or any political party without the support of the people? The fact that MIC leaders are more vocal now affirms the fact that we are returning to the fundamentals. I sincerely believe MIC has and will continue to play the key role in fulfilling the needs of the people.
Murugesan Sinnandavar
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