Press Freedom Day - What Is Malaysia Stand On Press Freedom?

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Malaysia Government is worried that without implementing the GST it will be termed as a pariah country. Their reasoning is plane and simple, other countries have GST we must also follow suit or else we are pariah.

Malaysia maintained these draconian and anti-competitive media laws such as the Printing Presses and Publications Act, Communications and Multimedia Act, Official Secrets Act and Internal Security Act while many countries have discarded these draconian acts long time ago.

So, why is Malaysia not following the other countries that had got rid of all these draconian acts or Malaysia preferred to remain a pariah country?

On Press Freedom, Dr. Hsu put it in a better perspective on his blog which I reproduce below.

Press freedom is one of the most important requisites of a true democracy.

Without a free press, government tends to be suppressive and democracy is often hijacked to suit individual interest.

It is interesting to note that the more oil( petroleum) a country possesses, the worse is the record of press freedom.

Malaysia rank in The World’s Bottom 30% in Press Freedom

Malaysia is not only trapped in the middle-income group, but also in the world’s bottom 30% of countries in respect of press freedom.

These Organizations :

1. Writers Alliance for Media Independence (WAMI)
2. Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ)
3. Civil Rights Committee of KL & Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (CRC-KLSCAH)
4. Coalition for Clean and Fair Election (BERSIH)
5. Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM)
6. Zunar & ‘Gedung Kartun’ Group
7. Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia (SABM)
8. Centre for Policy Initiatives (CPI)
9. Research for Social Advancement (REFSA)
10. New Era College Progressive Front

jointly issued a memorandum and online petition:

Stop Political Intervention into and Self-Censorship in the Media Industry

- Memorandum by Malaysians Demanding Press Freedom 2010

This memorandum will be opened for group and individual endorsement till 28th May 2010. Individual are encouraged to sign the online petition.


Read the full memorandum here and sign the petition here.