Media reform still a distant dream?

The year 2008 saw the 12^th general election creating greater spaces for expression for both the media and the public. However, according to a report by the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), major reforms remain disappointingly distant.

In releasing the report today, CIJ officer Yip Wai Fong said that while legal restrictions on media freedom have loosened, political ownership of major dailies meant that the independence of the mainstream media was still restricted.

"The banning of the Indian rights group Hindraf and the arrest of Teresa Kok are also traceable to the pro-BN and racist reporting of the Malay daily, Utusan Melayu", said Yip, adding that the enactment of freedom of information laws will continue to be hampered by such practices by the BN government.

Yip also lamented the glaring double-standards practiced by state security agencies with regard to freedom of assembly.

"Last year, there were 13 incidents of assemblies which were greeted with riot police, water cannons, tear gas or arrests for illegal assembly. Six were associated with the opposition.

"However, pro-establishment assemblies, such as the UiTM students march and the protest against a forum dealing with conversions to Islam at the Bar Council, were largely allowed to go on without any form of state or police intervention."

The CIJ also condemned the actions of the Home Ministry in mounting massive roadblocks and attempting to rope in the military in order to block a rumoured rally to Parliament, noting that it was a reflection of the government's dominant streak and tendency for over-reaction.

As for online media, Yip said the government has been maintaining an ambiguous stance.

No less than 10 websites have been given media accreditation, and a number of politicians from the establishment have turned to blogs as a new outlet for expression. Dr Mahathir Mohammad, who started his blog chedet in May 2008, is now the most popular blogger in Malaysia.

However, in the same year, certain socio-political bloggers have been remanded or detained for sedition, and the prosecution of Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kamarudin is a reminder that the online platform is not untouchable.

Numerous journalists also encountered attacks, serious threats and even arrests in the course of their work last year. Not a single one of these cases have been settled.

Small steps towards improvement

Still it's not all doom and gloom in the country's media industry as small improvements are evident.

For example, media coverage for opposition parties has increased, government-controlled broadcaster RTM abandoned its news pecking order, Parliament sessions were broadcast live and debates between politicians were televised for the first time.

At the same event today, Malaysiakini reporter Syed Jaymal Zahiid had the honour of being the first journalist in the country to receive a "Hands Off! Journos at Work" badge launched by CIJ.

"The badges were launched to drive home the message that journalists need to work in an environment that is safe and free from harassment. There are many ways to register complaints with a media organisation over its coverage, but attacking the journalist in any way is out of the question", said CIJ executive director V Gayathry.