Enslaved Freedom in Democracy

(Source: http://sdmeadows.com/the-pursuit-of-freedom-joy-in-experiencing-being-the-true-me/)

Democracy is the government of the people, by the people, for the people. – Abraham Lincoln

Even though the Malaysian government advocate democracy, the nation is only partial democratic as it is ruled by a single political party, the National Front coalition (Barisan Nasional). The government is in control of the political, economic and social aspects of the country. It of course includes the media, which is an impactful and effective agent of socialization nowadays. Most of the print media (newspapers) and electronic media (radio and television) organizations or stations are owned by or closely associated with the government. Therefore, the news published are more pro-government and in favor of the ruling political party. The Printing Presses and Publication Act, Sedition Act, Broadcasting Act and Defamation Act are some examples of the manoeuvres legislated by the government to have control over the media in Malaysia.

"Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference, and impart information and ideas through any media regardless of frontiers" – Article 9, The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

The Federal Constitution of Malaysia is the supreme law of the country. Every citizen has the right to freedom of speech and assembly as stated in the Article 10 of the constitution. However, the exercise of freedom of speech is indeed restricted with many different kinds of justification regarding racial harmony and public order. Professor Dr. Shad Saleem Faruqi, a professor of Law, has argued that the Malaysian Federal Constitution has a weak provision for freedom of speech primarily because of the  amendments following the May 13, 1969 racial riot, known as the Sensitive Matters Amendment to allow Parliament to impose restrictions on eight grounds – public order, national security, incitement and offence, friendly relations with other states, contempt of court, contempt of Parliament, defamation, morality” (the Sun daily, 1 October 2005). Censoring publications, suspending licenses to media organizations and restricting access to information manifest the repression of press freedom by the Malaysian government. Malaysia has hit the ranking of 147 out of 180 countries in the latest World Press Freedom index. (The Malaysian Insider, 12 February 2014)

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. – Exodus 20:16

Personally, the Malaysian audience deserves to know the truth behind every news. The money flow of the nation, the property of the political leaders, the affairs of the royal family, the intention of the government, the phenomenon of a crime should be transparent and objective. The news published should not leave a large room of subjectivity which may lead the audience to make unnecessary speculations. Numbers, figures, statistics, names, authority should be made clear, verified and attached with the news published. Moreover, I believe the golden principle of journalists is to strive for the truth. I am truly inspired by the passion and professionalism of journalists who are publishing the news as accurate as it is. Unfortunately, in Malaysia, with an enormous amount of boundaries which ban sensitive issues regarding race and religion, journalists are limited to only writing very shallow news or even forced to publish articles that are pro-government. Journalists’ freedom in exploring a news through science and producing it through art is indeed enslaved.

I will not fall into despair! I will keep myself hardy until freedom is opportune! – (Solomon Northup, 12 Years A Slave)

The only way for Malaysian journalists to escape from the ‘chains’ is online journalism. There are over 16 million internet users from the 28 million total population of Malaysia. Although the government has the intention to have control over the internet, it is an impossible mission. The young generation is active audiences who are well-educated, exposed to the digital media and shaped with better world views. Thus, if the government is to take control over the social media like Facebook and Twittter, there might be an uprising in Malaysia. Freedom of press is such a precious treasure that this generation of Malaysians will never want to lose it and will continue to fight for it at any terms.

References: 

-http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/

-http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/malaysias-press-freedom-ranking-drops-to-historic-low-of-147

-http://www.thesundaily.my/

-http://www.huffingtonpost.com/azeem-ibrahim/deteriorating-democracy-i_b_4813259.html

-http://www.rsog.com.my/media/558.pdf