More to press freedom than 'naive assertions'
Published: Jun 6, 2012 3:12 PM | Updated: Jun 6, 2012 3:45 PM
The DAP’s Tanjong parliamentarian Chow Kon Yeow has ridiculed the Penang BN’s bid to champion press freedom as a core campaign issue in the general election, saying the federal ruling coalition is responsible for Malaysia’s low ranking in global press freedom indices.
The DAP’s Tanjong parliamentarian Chow Kon Yeow has ridiculed the Penang BN’s bid to champion press freedom as a core campaign issue in the general election, saying the federal ruling coalition is responsible for Malaysia’s low ranking in global press freedom indices.
He was commenting on Penang BN chief Teng Chang Yeow’s (left) statement that the state government is hostile to certain sections of the media and that Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng does not practise the press freedom that he preaches about.
“Teng is effectively claiming that BN is the real defender of press freedom in Malaysia. He cannot be serious,” Chow remarked in a statement today.
He pointed out that Malaysia was ranked 122 in a press freedom index by Reporters without Borders (RSF), even lower than authoritarian countries like Liberia and Zimbabwe.
Chow (left) cited RSF’s opinion that press freedom in Malaysia is a “difficult situation” and that the media are subjected to censorshop and political meddling.
“Surely, Teng understands that press freedom is not about getting chummy with reporters,” he said.
“What about issues of political ownership of the media? What does he have to say about the absolute control BN has over the arbitrary licensing provision of the Printing Presses and Publications Act?
“What about blatant censorship of international broadcast news? What about the blackout of the French probe into the purchase of Scorpene submarines in our national media? Why was he silent over the violent treatment of journalists at Bersih 3.0 and numerous other events in Penang?
“Does he agree with Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein’s suggestion that the confiscation of cameras is a Standard Operating Procedure of the police?”
‘Naive assertion’
Calling Teng’s assertion naive, Chow said some media companies have treated the Penang government “unfairly and with malicious intent”.
“The last thing on the agenda of these organisations is freedom, fairness or democracy. And to defend them on the basis of these ideals is not only hypocritical but utterly despicable of Teng,” he added.
“I wish to state my strong support for the cause of media freedom within the larger context of democratic liberties in our nation, but it does appear that the BN-controlled media is shackled from reporting the truth and instead given the licence to operate sans ethics.”
He was commenting on Penang BN chief Teng Chang Yeow’s (left) statement that the state government is hostile to certain sections of the media and that Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng does not practise the press freedom that he preaches about. “Teng is effectively claiming that BN is the real defender of press freedom in Malaysia. He cannot be serious,” Chow remarked in a statement today.
He pointed out that Malaysia was ranked 122 in a press freedom index by Reporters without Borders (RSF), even lower than authoritarian countries like Liberia and Zimbabwe.
Chow (left) cited RSF’s opinion that press freedom in Malaysia is a “difficult situation” and that the media are subjected to censorshop and political meddling.“Surely, Teng understands that press freedom is not about getting chummy with reporters,” he said.
“What about issues of political ownership of the media? What does he have to say about the absolute control BN has over the arbitrary licensing provision of the Printing Presses and Publications Act?
“What about blatant censorship of international broadcast news? What about the blackout of the French probe into the purchase of Scorpene submarines in our national media? Why was he silent over the violent treatment of journalists at Bersih 3.0 and numerous other events in Penang?
“Does he agree with Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein’s suggestion that the confiscation of cameras is a Standard Operating Procedure of the police?”
‘Naive assertion’
Calling Teng’s assertion naive, Chow said some media companies have treated the Penang government “unfairly and with malicious intent”.
“The last thing on the agenda of these organisations is freedom, fairness or democracy. And to defend them on the basis of these ideals is not only hypocritical but utterly despicable of Teng,” he added.
“I wish to state my strong support for the cause of media freedom within the larger context of democratic liberties in our nation, but it does appear that the BN-controlled media is shackled from reporting the truth and instead given the licence to operate sans ethics.”
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