THE term “Press Freedom” has been defined and butchered many times since the invention of journalism. Every country has always found a way to curtail or redefine the freedom of the press by legislation, rules or straight out interference from the powers that be, whether they political or religious. In Malaysia’s case, it’s both.

For the sake of this discourse, its suffice to define “press freedom” as “a fundamental right to a democratic society to seek out and circulates news, information, ideas, comment and opinion and holds those in authority to account. The press should provide the platform for a multiplicity of voices to be heard. It should act as the public’s watchdog, activist and guardian as well as educator, entertainer and contemporary chronicler to the public while never at all to at any level at a prerogative of the authorities or at the privilege of a journalist.”

When journalists and workers at Utusan Melayu went on their legendary strike to protest their takeover by a political party in 1961, their main objective was to be independent and free of political influence. Legendary journalist and main leader of the strike Said Zahari was expelled from Singapore and had to spend 17 years in prison.

He summed up his actions with the statement “Only with a free policy could Utusan Melayu be the voice of the people, fighting for the interests of the people with sincerity, integrity and courage.”

The original Star and Sin Chew Jit Poh were also closed down in 1987 after controversies over the reporting of political and race issues. Political parties later took these papers over and resurrected them.

Press freedom in Malaysia is guaranteed in Article 10 Clause(1) of the Federal Constitution, which states that “Every citizen has the right to freedom of speech and expression”, but that right is “subject to Clauses (2), (3) and (4)”.

The right is given only to citizens, and is not absolute but subject to certain well-defined restrictions, including the security of the Federation, public order, morality, protecting the privileges of Parliament or State Assembly, contempt, defamation, incitement to any offence and sedition. This makes journalists and publishers in this country tiptoe around limitations set by mostly archaic laws such as the Official Secrets Acts 1972, Sedition Act 1948 and the mother of it all, Printing, Presses and Publication Act 1984.

Journalists matter?

With the development and rising use of the information technology, Malaysian media has evolved from television broadcasts and printed newspapers to digital publications and Internet podcasts, creating a new ecosystem for news publishers and journalists.

Technology has changed the journalism landscape in the country. For the first time since the takeover of news publications by political parties in power, the public can enjoy more varied sources of information and reports at the click of a button or at the tip of their fingers.

With many new publications on the rise, there are now more journalists, and an increasing number who want to adhere to the ideals press freedom as defined in a model democracy.

However, the legacy of the authorities’ rules and regulations has left the media landscape in a broken and divided state. The situation is reminiscent of the divide and rule principle practised by the British to discourage intercommunity unity in the country in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Most journalists are opinionated and have political positions, which, in Malaysia, means an inclination towards a racial bias. But they are not racists, as most journalists are good natured and outstanding people, but have adopted certain positions that traverse both sides of the political divide.

The journey towards press freedom in Malaysia cannot be done without the journalists believing and subscribing to journalism’s duty and commitment to “truth and accuracy.

Nowhere in the ethics that shows that the “Truth and Accuracy” are provided by the powers that be. It is the responsibility under each and every hand that writes or type the first copy of the report. 

That what makes the addendum “Journalism First” the cardinal rules every single journalist has to adhere and believe in.

During the Bersih 3 rally on April 28, 2012, several journalists were caught while doing their job. That night, mostly young journalists from various publications stood together to say in one voice that the authorities should “protect journalists”. But this behaviour has rarely been replicated in the following years, apart from some sporadic acts by several small groups.

The first thing that enables Press Freedom is having journalists believe that they are all part of the same force that promotes the country, democracy and the public’s point of view.

Without this unity, this belief and this esprit de corp journalists will always be seen to the public as those who follow the orders of politicians, who should not have the right to control and belittle this noble profession.

The objective of this essay is not a call to arms for journalists to take the fight to the streets, but is just a reminder for other journalists be they in the field or at the desk. No matter their designations – editors, special writers, photographers, sub-editors, videographers or supplement writers. Whether they are working for online, print, daily or weekly publications. Be they staff writers, stringers, correspondents or field producers. Everbody are brothers and sisters with families to feed and have worked their fingers to the bone for the belief of “journalism first”.

Before we take on the authorities, the public, the rich financiers who own or back the publications, who might never care to understand what it entails when chasing sources, waiting for hours in the rain, coming home late at night or early morning, having to put up with barrages of harrasments from political parties (on both sides) or the authorities, having to postpone personal appointments, missed reunions, reduced family time, last-minute cross-country/state call-ups, surviving on coffee and/or biscuits, we must believe that the ones who should be on our side are those within the profession.

If that does not happen, how else are we going to define what being a journalist is about? – May 31, 2017.

* Radzi Razak is a The Malaysian Insight reader.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.