Press Freedom and The Media: Why the Suspicion and Disdain?

May 6, 2014

Freedom of expression may be enshrined in the constitution, but the harsh truth is that this right seemed to be only accorded to certain sections of the populace.

Those who appear to have friends in high places can say anything and everything they want – even if it is seditious.They can use the most racist language, litter it with threats – real and innuendo – and be applauded for their brevity.

Yet, the law comes down hard on lesser mortals who only choose to interpret the law or put the facts on the table.Let’s accept that press freedom does exist in this country – only for selected people and selected organisations.–Citizen Nades

by R. Nadeswaran@http://www.thesundaily.my

ON Saturday (May 4), World Press Freedom Day was observed and celebrated in various degrees of importance befitting its status in the respective countries. For many years now, I have turned down invitations to speak at seminars to commemorate the event. I have come to the conclusion that such an effort would be an exercise in futility.

Year in and year out, people take the stage, moan and groan, lament and bitch about freedom for one day and forget about it for the next 364 days before a new cycle begins. It’s the same tune, same lyrics perhaps performed by different singers like an annual ritual.

But then, one has to keep asking oneself: What can press freedom bring about when the media is always treated with suspicion and disdain? On examining the issues that have been raised in this newspaper over the years, you wonder what can freedom (if any) exactly do or to what extent would it bring about change.

Many a time when contentious issues that need to be debated are raised, they are shouted down by a coterie of self-appointed do-gooders who, like maggots climbing out of the woodwork, become apologists and defenders of the offenders.

Freedom of expression may be enshrined in the constitution, but the harsh truth is that this right seemed to be only accorded to certain sections of the populace.

Those who appear to have friends in high places can say anything and everything they want – even if it is seditious.They can use the most racist language, litter it with threats – real and innuendo – and be applauded for their brevity.

Yet, the law comes down hard on lesser mortals who only choose to interpret the law or put the facts on the table.Let’s accept that press freedom does exist in this country – only for selected people and selected organisations.

For these privileged lot, it is a borderless and seamless world. For others, every written word is dissected, digested and pored over under a microscope, with a view to prosecution. That’s a reality and no one is able to give any justification for this phenomenon, not even the government or the attorney general.

But then, what recourse does the journalist who practises his craft have when he or she is shouted down with contempt? Our job is to present a fair and balanced report which enables our readers to make an educated and fair judgment. We seek nothing more.

But do the powers that be care about public opinion? If they did, there would be a consultation process which includes all stakeholders. In most instances, it is a top-down solution. So, why are they afraid of freedom? Except for election time, public opinion doesn’t matter and is hardly sought.

That’s because a syndrome of “I don’t care what you think” has taken root in our system. If a politician with a fetish for the bare bottoms of young nubile women can’t keep his itchy fingers in his pocket, he has no business being in government.

Subsequently, when bare flesh comes into contact, it’s called outraging of modesty – a criminal offence. Even if not reported, the offender gets a plum diplomatic posting and a prefix before his name. What does it show? Is it the mindset of the leadership or the contempt that is shown to the people?

When a Minister takes the law into his own hands and pays his way out of an assault charge, what little can the press do? Similarly, when Ministers choose to appoint their children as contractors and rent seekers, the media can only report. But then, there is always an alternative – divert the attention by renting a crowd to bay for the blood of the messenger – the journalist.

When questions are raised over contracts shamelessly dished out without the proper process, many have the audacity to raise the issue of “it is my right”. This undermines the basic fabric of what would be termed as fair.

Yes, everyone is craving for what is called “freedom”. But what good is freedom when nothing is done after such freedom is used to expose thieves, wrongdoers and felons?

The Auditor General’s Report is one example where the media gets into a no-holds barred position every year. There are no restrictions whatsoever and everyone has a field day. So much has been written and said about the misuse and abuse of funds. Has anything changed? How many perpetrators have been punished?

So, what good will press freedom be without an equally responsive government? If it takes a “write anything you want and we don’t care a damn about them” attitude, it brings little respite for society.

If the current system of maintaining elegant silence on all the abuse and misuse that has been exposed in the media continues, freedom is meaningless.

Freedom and responsibility work in tandem – no two ways about it. We have always kept our end of the bargain. And if we have an equally caring, responsive and responsible government, nothing is beyond achievement.

R. Nadeswaran continues expressing his thoughts and views on the need for the government to be more responsive to issues that affect the people. Comments: citizen-nades@thesundaily.com