B1 - Questionable Ethics of Journalism

 As a journalist, what does ethic to be meant to he/she? To seek the truth behind-the-stories, or to coordinate to the desires of government in controlling what are supposed the truth that they want the audience to know?

         In my opinion, the biggest difficulties faced by Malaysian journalists, are they are bound to the rules and regulations of Malaysia’s government and the guidelines for code of ethics that are trying to tell what are suppose a journalist should do and should not. Journalists could not tell whether they are playing safe games by following what government wants the audience to know by retaining their jobs and licenses or to seek the truth that as the code of ethics demanded them to. 

         By using news writing process as an example, before the news reach to the audience in wide nation, journalists get a chance to alter the content. This can refer to the second code of ethics mentioned by  National Union of Journalists Malaysia (NUJ), "In pursuance of this duty he will defend the twin principles: freedom in the honest collection and publications of news" and these have shown that journalists, no matter in broadcasting media or printed media, should have been only published the truth to the audience without any alterations. For instance, MalaysiaKini and authority of Democratic Action Party (DAP) have been overthrown the statement whereby they have attracted over 120,000 people to participate the first blackout 505 rally held at Kelana Jaya, Petaling Jaya, not 30,000 people only. There is no doubt that ethics of journalism in Malaysia have been doubted by the smart audience whether they are following the right tracks for the code of ethics or only make favorable judgements and news that desired by government and make it as their guidelines for code of ethics. Of  course, there  are still some journalists out there who are really still following the code of ethics for journalism, by staying loyal to the truth and seek for the truth of behind-the-stories. 

Sources:

- http://www.nujm.org/nuj/about.php - code of ethics by National Union of Journalists Malaysia (NUJ)

- http://anwaribrahimblog.com/2013/05/13/black-505-fever-hits-ipoh-with-30000-crowd/ - blog of Anwar Ibrahim

- https://mocsarawak.wordpress.com/2013/05/13/black-505-fever-hits-ipoh-with-30000-crowd/ - MalaysiaKini