MCA Chua Soi Lek's understanding of press freedom is odd and bizarre. Does he really understand the meaning of press freedom?
“We value press freedom, we value freedom of the radio but with all freedom, it comes with responsibility. No country in the world has unfettered freedom. No, so every freedom must come with responsibility. More so in a multi-racial country like Malaysia which still have a lot of sensitive issues."
The question is who decides the spectrum of responsibility? MCA? Umno? BN? These are political entities. There are enough mechanism in the legislation to protect and regulate press freedom. Readers and subscribers are very powerful check-and-balance mechanism too.
Second, why can't this country debate and discuss 'sensitive issues' regarding race and religion if it can be conducted maturely?. Ironically, it's race political parties and politicians such as MCA & Umno which are most involved in the use of race and religion as a political tool. Who should regulate these political parties? A free media could play a role to moderate these political parties.
Third, it is the biggest irony that MCA controls both Star Publications and StarFM despite its leadership pledging their support for press freedom. Can a media organisation controlled by a political party become totally free and impartial? Anywhere in the world, there is a reason to ban political parties from controlling any media organisation. It should be the same in Malaysia.
“It is because of this freedom of responsibility that Malaysia continue enjoy its stability and social cohesions,” Chua said.
Chua appears to support the level of press control in Malaysia and what MCMC just did to 988FM deejays on the morning talk show. If this is so, what reform credential can Chua hope to use to convince the Chinese voters that MCA can help to make this country more democratic and less racist?
Dr Chua said that the party practices political non-interference in the media.
“We want to be very clear, we adopt non-interference in The Star and following that 98.8 because that 98.8 is a subsidiary of The Star. We adopt the attitude of non-interference as The Star is a listed entity and it has its business considerations.
If so, the MCA should divest its interest in the Star and StarFM. Allow these organisations to flourish under truly independent shareholders - the public! I offer to take up some shares. I am sure many Malaysians may do the same too to ensure that media organisations serve the interest of the people and not political parties.
11 comments:
MCA is history so is Dr Chua.
They can say whatever they like, LET IT BE!.
When Mahathir says LET IT BE! That is sheer arrogant; nothing can change him after all. When we say LET IT BE!, we play arrogant too, we shut our ears from their worlds.
LET IT BE!, Controlling the ‘media’ is no longer equal to controlling the ‘mass’, especially to MCA with community relatively having access to alternative medias.
LEI IT BE!, It evidently shows that MCA could not catch up with the community’s expectation on reforms; their hands are tied on reform, so they have to isolate that off the community.
LET IT B!, It evidently shows that MCA could not face reality of sensitive issues. These issues have to remain sensitive, scary, can’t talk about it, can’t think about it otherwise BN lost their magic wand. Is like ghost stories, we are the kids, they play adults.
What do you expect from a man/party who has no dignity and integrity????
MCA, RIP.
Somehow it appears that MCA does not jive with the aspirations of the people they seem to represent. They cannot maintain the equilibrium of reasoning between freedom of speech and media freedom in this ever changing IT world. Archiac thinking does not necessarily equate progressive use of modernity in media communications. A case in point is the Cat and the Multi-media.
So be it. Let the people decide on the issues that MCA can't handle.
I agree with you. The government's growing intolerance is most alarming. Citizens must band together to defend the "freedom" we have - even though this "freedom" leaves much to be desired. I share your sentiments - you may also check me out at helpvictor.blogspot.com
Take care!
Chua is a voice in the wilderness. Nobody cares nor bothers to listen to him or his party.
Can Chua tell us why Utusan enjoys the absolute freedom?
In this country one race can call others pendatang, prostitutes and beggars, balik Cina, balik India, tutup sekolah Cina and that's freedom.
But the other race cannot even request for the dropping of discount for houses.
just wondering... does the Chinese community still considering to vote MCA??? a bunch of bandits n con artist...
Dear Mr Khoo KP,
Freedom of press, as what the DJ of 988 did (partialy) in the morning talk show (was band now), review some of the bad things happen in our country. Example, the PKZR issue, AP issue etc.
This can act as a "eye and ears" for the public and the public can act on it before the situation become worse. We do not want our country turn into a corrupted nation. We do not want the incident of "police kill bus passanger in Philippines" happen in Malaysia.
As what you write before " Race politics is justified through the use of NEP to protect the Malay interests. Interestingly, no leader in Umno can tell us why the community is still lagging behind the Chinese".
Yes, you are correct to said the above. Our leader are using this method to control us "divide and rule". Make us hate each others. Make us feel that others are different and we must protect our intrest. So, the UMMNNOO leader can use the NEP to make money. They "sedekah" give little money to malay and continue to become super rich.
What JAMAL did was to tell us the truth, what happen to the malay in general. The freedom of press play an importance role here. Tell the people the truth.
SO, do not be part of the "game" by our UMMNNOO leader. MCCAA leader also, I fell sad for them. You should be brave to tell the truth. But many of them join in the "game" to become rich.
When money become the "goal" for our political leader, then we the people we be "sold".
Malaysian, we must not be emotional, do not fall into the trap. To hate others.
I agreed that press freedom is importance, but they must be responsible and there are rules to guide and protect both parties (the press and the people).
Dissapointed whit current press freedom.
Kajang Chiness Boy.
CSL is an expired dinosaur. He still can't get it. He can't understand that all MCA & UMNO' s old ways are not acceptable anymore. CSL still want to use the scare tactic of "risky to give the opposition a try". He cannot understand that the people are sick and tired of BN. He can't understand that the Chinese see MCA as ineffective and corrupt. MCA is irrelevant as long as it sticks to UMNO.
MCA has never represented chinese, it is a transplant from Malay UMNO voters.The only true voice of chinese is DAP. Yes we have Karpal and son in DAP but they are just by way of marriage of convenience to be discarded once we achieve the ascent of power. At best we give these non chinese sympathisers safe portfolios like transport ministry or human resources to keep them busy
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