February 9, 2013
Press Freedom is not usually probable though essential
by Bob Teoh@http://www.malaysiakini.com
COMMENT: The misfortune headline that can hail a publisher is this: Malaysia annals worst-ever ranking upon press freedom. Let's face it, you have reached rock-bottom.
In a ultimate World Press Freedom Index compiled by Paris-based Reporters Without Borders, Malaysia forsaken twenty-three spots to a brand new low ranking of 145 out of 179 countries. Some have been quite happy to live with this sorry state of affairs. After all, you have been three stairs forward of Singapore, that is ranked reduce than Malaysia at No 149.
But this is no consolation, deliberation that Bangladesh, Libya, Kyrgyzstan, Thailand, Indonesia as well as Brunei have been improved off than us. And if that's not bad enough, Burma is quick throwing up it climbed eighteen spots to No 151, usually two stairs behind us.
The moot indicate is that broadcasting as practised in Malaysia has depressed from
grace. Journalists, particularly senior editors, should start saving their profession.
Sure, there have been many things you can't influence or change, though a single thing you can do: We can shift a attitude towards broadcasting as well as believe that press leisure is not usually probable though essential.
That begs a ques! tion, wh at is journalism? The universe over, reporters who treasure press leisure subscribe to what is universally well known as a 'Ten Commandments' that conclude a hint of journalism.
These are:
Journalism's initial requisite is to a truth.
We can't offer two masters. We possibly aspire to a law or pander to half-truths as well as languish in self-deceit.
Its initial faithfulness is to a citizens.
Our initial duty is not a statute or opposition coalition or to advertisers as well as media owners though to citizens. It is they who give us a initial reason for a being.
Its hint is a discipline of verification.
A great publisher is a professional as well as responsible one. Nothing is fit to be published until as well as unless a report received is verified. This requires time as well as hard work, though needs to be done.
Journalists contingency say an autonomy from those who cover.
This is easier said than done in a prevalent culture, though it is no excuse for not trying to be independent. We cannot means to succumb to inequitable reportage.
It contingency offer as an eccentric monitor of power.
Again, this is easier said than done. So, similar to it or not, someone has to bell a cat. If you have been afraid to do so, afterwards do not be journalists.
Journalists contingency have an requisite to practice their personal conscience.
If reporters do not practice their conscience, they pose a initial hindrance to press freedom.
Citizens, too, have rights as well as responsibilities when it comes to a news.
We can never understate a right to a citizen's privacy as well as insurance from defamatory speech.
It contingency keep a headlines comprehensive as well as in proportion.
Essentially, headlines contingency have context as well as even-handed! ness. A case in indicate is a stream 'Allah' controversy. The reportage to illustrate far lacks both context as well as balance.
It contingency make a significant engaging as well as relevant.
The Malaysian experience, sadly, has been a single that headlines that is significant is mostly hidden in between a lines.
It contingency offer as a forum for open criticism.
Such forums have been mostly self-censored as well as we can find no reason for it. we can see consequence in self-restraint or prior censorship, though never in self-censorship.
Break these Ten Commandments as well as you may end up blazing in hell.
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