The battle for press freedom must start somewhere and unless journalists are prepared to brave the odds and bear the sacrifices, the concept will continue to be stifled, said a Human Rights (Suhakam) Commissioner today.

"You have to take a stand and my view is, if everybody is prepared to take a stand and make the sacrifices, then change will come about. I think people should stand up for what is right,"said Mehrun Siraj.

Mehrun was speaking at a forum entitled 'Press freedom at the crossroads' in conjunction with World Press Freedom Day, organised by the Asian Institute for Development Communication (Aidcom), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco), the National Press Club (NPC) and the Malaysian Press Institute (MPI).

"Some would have to make sacrifices, some would have to lose their jobs and others would have to lose their permits, but if you don't start at some point then it would close in tighter and tighter until there is no freedom," said the commissioner, adding that she was speaking in her personal capacity.

Eyes and ears

Earlier, Mehrun, a panel member, told participants that it was the role of the free press to inform and bring to light cases of corruption, abuses of power and the oppression of marginalised groups.

"The press must present the facts and more importantly the truth, but the truth is not always palatable in Malaysia," she said.

Other panel members were The Sun's executive editor R Nadeswaran, Sarawak Tribune group editor Toman Mamora and National Press Club president Zainon Ahmad. Berita Harian editor Ahmad Rejal Arbee moderated the forum.

Nadeswaran called for the government to create a Freedom of Information Act to facilitate the role of journalists as the "eyes and ears" of the public.

"One of the sore points in Malaysian journalism today is the lack of access to information. We are always talking about laws that restrict the duties of a journalist but we have never looked at laws which allow journalists to do so.

"What we need is a Freedom of Information Act that would allow them access to information,"said Nadeswaran.

Western ideology

Meanwhile, Toman contended that the term 'free press' and notions concerning freedom of expression were from the West.

"We get carried away when we talk about press freedom, but little do we realise that books on these subject are written by the west and suffice to say the notion of press freedom is western-based," he said, adding that there has not been enough research done by local academics.

Zainon, a veteran journalist, told participants that it is very important for Malaysia to set up an independent press council.

"There are so many laws and we are over-regulated by such laws as the Printing Presses and Publications Act (PPPA), therefore the best way to go about things is through an independent press council," he explained.

With the council, sanctions could be taken against errant newspapers and any problems could be resolved through the council instead of resorting to the courts, he added.