WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY 2017

Critical Minds for Critical Times is the theme of the 2017 World Press Freedom day. Every year, May 3 is a date which celebrates the fundamental principles of press freedom, to evaluate press freedom around the world, to defend the media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession.

This year, World Press Freedom Day highlights the importance to strengthen free and quality journalism to help contribute towards promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, providing access to justice for all and building effective, accountable and inclusive institution at all levels. 

To commemorate World Press Freedom Day 2017 and this year’s theme, Aidcom is collaborating with Universiti Selangor (Unisel), Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) and Taylor’s University to organise a forum to reflect on Press Freedom in Malaysia.   

As a welcome address, Ybhg Datuk A Kadir Jasin, Chairman, Asian Institute for Development Communication (AIDCOM) said, he hopes that country's constitution guarantee human basic rights to voice view and freedom of expression. It is important to disclose hope as a democracy country. As long as it do not conflict with our constitution should consistent practise what provided in constitution. He relays prefatory speech in conjunction with the programme which later launched by President and Naib Canselor Unisel, Prof Datuk Dr Mohammad Redzuan Othman.

The panellists for the forum are Mr. Steven Gan (Editor-in-Chief, MalaysiaKini), Ms. Annette Gartland (Journalist, Changing Times Media, Ireland), Mr. Sharaad Kuttan (Producer BFM Business Radio Station, Malaysia), Dato’ Ahmad Izham Omar (Chairman, Communications and Multimedia Content Forum of Malaysia), and  Mr. Nizal Mohammad (CEO Nizal.com Sdn. Bhd) as a moderator. In conjunction with this event, there will be an interactive presentation by collaborating universities where they will present about current press freedom situation and issues in Malaysia. 

From the first panellist, Mr. Steven Gan is present about Press Freedom in a Liberal Democracy- The MalaysiaKini Experience. From the Malaysia’s illiberal democracy, he said that, “We have freedom of speech, no freedom after speech. We have democratic elections, but not free and fair elections. We have freedom of movement, but no freedom of assembly. We have a dozen of newspapers in four different languages, but no free press”. Futhermore, Mr. Steven Gan said about the Internet: Only democratic space left. From this topic, Malaysian government had a complete monopoly on truth until the emergence of the cyberspace. Malaysiakini (Malaysia Now) is exploiting that loophole. But the internet is not completely free. While we need not apply for a publication licence, Malaysiakini has to abide to many others restrictive laws that keep the traditional media in check. Mr. Steven Gan said always tend to report what’s the truth regardless of where you are or what are you writing report that is truth, so the public gets the right informations.

Second panellist, Ms. Annette Gartland is present about The Importance of Accuracy and Discernment in Reporting. We should have accuracy in self in case take right or belonging to another person. Before writing news, we must make research ago. If possible, we need to have research and fact that is accurate. Especially for future journalists.

Third panellist, Mr Sharaad Kuttan is present about Creating Critical Conversations. Anyone including governments, there is no right block people's liberty speak. If different government opinion, theologian, priest, even anyone, there is no rights to cover people's mouth. As democracy country, we are mature appropriate and in the maturity need to have tolerance, must be receptive to distinct idea. According to him, there is among open-minded Malaysian society but still many that could not receive criticism

Fourth panellist, Ybhg Datuk Ahmad Izham Omar is present about Malaysia Content Forum and the Importance of Self-regulation. From the important insights there are few points. Firstly, all media facing digitalisation and fragmentation. Secondly, it’s even harder to have a nationwide hit or to have a single message or understanding. Thirdly, the generation after millenials like the “cord-nevers”. Fourthly, current “Lords” of media like in Facebool, Youtube and Netflix. Fifthly, entertainment and gossip vs News and Current Affairs-What’s new?. Next, “Media’s Role in Advancing Peaceful, Just, and Inclusive Societies”-Who are having the relevant conversations?. Seventhly, is the idea of media influencing society still relevant? When the new generation are shaping their own realities?. Lastly, the actual current “Lords” of media?- the people. This is all the self-regulation becomes key. Self-regulation is encouraged for players in the communications and multimedia industry – being part of a value chain that represents the interest and requirements of the public. This care stretches to the users and content developers who must be alert to the ever-evolving digital expansions. Moreover, it is to raise awareness of the media’s competence in delivering content. Self-regulation, it must be stressed, begins at home – not in the office of law-makers. 

Chinese female drivers more law-abiding than men

BEIJING: Among drivers holding 10-year driving licence in China, women have less traffic offences than men, the Traffic Management Bureau of the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) said in a report on Wednesday, China's Xinhua news agency reported.
In China, drivers must renew their driving licences after six years. Those with better disciplinary records can then apply for ten-year licences.
Drivers with six to ten years of driving experience are less prone to break traffic rules.
A total of 179 million licensed drivers in China have 10-year driving licences, around 96.9 per cent of drivers with more than six years of experience.
As the number of licensed drivers has increased, traffic accidents and deaths have dropped by 58.8 and 40.9 per cent from 2004 to 2016 respectively, the MPS report showed.

Every his real father mother attitude will be copied by child, six important thing that are compulsory parents evade from in front children

Every parent doubtless wanting the best for their child, know that almost our all actions not we thread and thrum actually turned out follow them because for them will be copied by those.

This is because, parents is 'role model' closest with children that beginning to grow, father that smoking in front child also make them think what their father do and wish to try.

So, change our habit, show example that is best for child so that they grow become useful human.

Shared by a Nutrition Wyeth's international famous nutrition company, based on study carried out, they sharing a few important thing that parents should avoid do in front child, let us read.

1. Negotiating when having differences of views 

Sometimes parents slip out when discussing in front children. When that situation erupted, calm down yourself by doing other work ago. Then, solve problem by negotiating as rational having thought. This will teach children to always emphasise harmony between all parties. 

2. Communicating in tone that is soft 

Familiar communicate in tone that is gentle. Try to imagine both scenarios following; "Oi! Quickly prepare for work! Already late!" or "Love, come along we try to prepare as soon as possible." Second tone can teach child to practise value of love between one equally other through speech. 

3. Open in giving and accept opinion 

When married for a number of years, your couple may be less giving attention to his appearance because engaging with other work. You can help your couple by giving constructive views.

This show that you concerned, and consequently can educating your child to open in sharing opinion.

4. Using intelligence in word selection

Usage selection said should be consistent because your child have memory that is sharp and can catch word although only used once.

Among positive expression that applicable is "Come us try again", "Congratulations on your effort!", "Do not worry".

5. Always appreciate progress 

Every human born with nature and talent that are unique. Getting to know your child's advantage and give recognition and encouragement to push features.

Watching his development and give motivation without compare it with others. This will building your child self confidence by healthy without casts a shadow on other people's progress.

6. Using upbringing through positive reinforcement 

Parents should understand that children learnt with different period. Guidance that is effective by parents can help their learning, for example, give praise when children successfully comply with the instructions.

If those have not learned certain value interest, explain further to them and note their behaviour.

FORUM : EMANCIPATORY TOOL ART? ART FOR PEOPLE

                    Ismail Hashim, Yasin Salleh, Abdul Jalil, Dinsman and Jalius during forum in Unisel, Shah Alam

SHAH ALAM - A forum entitled 'Emancipatory Tool Art? Art For People's, has been held in Shah Alam University of Selangor (Unisel), Selangor, today.

Art difficult to be defined, like it difficult to be valued, due to every artist choose rule and distinctive figure code to determine his work, can still be said that art is process and medium selection result, rule set to the medium usage, and sets of values that determine what deserve in imagine through the medium, so that can deliver whether belief, idea, feeling, feeling in most effective form to the medium.

Shamsudin Osman or known as Dinsman said "generally may be I can agree freedom tool art but for me as a art activist, I did not really like instrumentation. Freedom tool art show like use art, so I very angry to people that use art.

"As a art activist, there is a process to produce works namely creativity process. Everyone using this process, but with different modes. Some easily some are difficult but usually process this involve people said artist or activist,"he said.

Programme by Sinar Harian official media cooperation in conjunction with Festival Seni Unisel involve four panel line consist of, Executive Adviser Editorial Sinar Harian, Datuk Abdul Jalil Ali, Seniman Paksi Rakyat, Shamsudin Osman or known as Dinsman; arts activist, Yasin Salleh and student representative, Jaibin Jalius with moderator which is also Faculty Communications Visual, Art and Computing lecturer, Ismail Hashim.

Jaibin Jalius student representative said, "to me the art is too large and too too big, not only sing and not only act. For the release, this art help us open eyes. Example in campus elections. We write creatively to grab vote.

You may be getting older, but you can still do yoga

What do John Boehner, Bonnie Raitt and prisoners at Sing Sing have in common? Like 36 million other Americans, they do yoga, according to the April/May issue of AARP The Magazine, which features a special health section on "The United States of Yoga."

It's an ancient practice, after all.

It's also one that doesn't discriminate by age. Of the folks who do it, 39 percent are older than 50, the magazine reports. And if you're interested in following its advice "to take a deep breath and join in," it suggests the most suitable styles for seniors. (In your 60s, for instance, try Iyengar, which "emphasizes precise alignment, deep stretching and holding for long moments.")

The package features a primer on yoga gear, a rundown of yoga's health benefits and a sample yoga breathing exercise.

Online, you can view a free quickie lesson that is geared to seniors and led by Lorrie Lynch, a certified instructor who also is AARP's features director. The five-minute video introduces newbies to a few simple standing poses, all of which are helpful for improving bone density as we age, Lynch points out.

Yoga is an ancient practice with origins stretching back thousands of years in India. It is designed to help achieve a more positive outlook on life and a focused, permanent sense of serenity and peace. The word ‘yoga’ itself means ‘union’ and ‘union with the divine’; however, many people have stripped away the spirituality and focus of yoga so that most think of it as a group of intensely athletic people putting their legs behind their heads and curling up into jaw-dropping positions.

For the magazine, Lynch contributes an essay that offers the most compelling case for yoga. The first line is "Yoga has saved my life, twice." Lynch recounts how she used gentle yoga to recover after a quadruple coronary bypass operation. Although she had practiced before the surgery, "I did not really 'get' the breath and meditation part of it until I was in serious need of physical healing," Lynch writes.

Fast-forward seven years, and Lynch was laid off from a company she'd worked at for three decades. To deal with her "shattered ego," she returned to the mat. This time, she made vigorous, hot power vinyasa classes a daily habit. "I was sweating out all the hurt and resentment," Lynch adds.

Both experiences were transformative, and that's what Lynch hopes to convey to anyone who's hesitant about taking a class. And maybe you'll run into Bonnie Raitt.

Why your children's day care may determine how wealthy they become

Children who are born into poverty often struggle to escape it. Researchers have studied this generational snare for years, concluding that underfunded schools and overworked or absent guardians exacerbate the cycle.

But a recent study from the University of Chicago finds that quality day care can make a big difference: Low-income mothers with access to good programs raise children who grow up to earn more money.

In other words, quality child care, which includes educational activities and healthy meals, appears to better prepare children for school and the labor force. "Supplying the support for low-income families will lead to a larger social return," said co-author and economist Jorge Luis Garcia.

The cost of child care in the United States can rival the mortgage payment, ranging from about $5,000 on average annually in Alabama to a whopping $22,000 in the District of Columbia. It can also be hard to find. An analysis of eight states last year from the Center for American Progress, a left-leaning think tank, found more than half of young children in rural Zip codes inhabit a "child care desert," or communities where small children outnumber day-care spots by at least 3 to 1.

This can lead to inconsistent care, especially among poor families.

The University of Chicago study, led by James Heckman, a Nobel laureate economist, tracked children from birth until age 35. Heckman and his team focused on two full-time programs in North Carolina, which provided free care to low-income children, ages 8 weeks to 5 years.

The researchers followed a group of children who were born in the mid-'70s and received the care, which featured daily educational exercises, and a "control" group that either stayed at home or landed in cheaper or part-time programs.

They found that mothers who received the free, full-time care made more money while their children were in preschool, and out-earned their peers 20 years later.

When they turned 30, meanwhile, they were out-earning their counterparts in the control group: The girls grew up to make roughly $2,500 more per year and the boys made a staggering $19,800 more.

The program disproportionately benefited boys, the researchers wrote, because boys who grow up economically disadvantaged are more likely to get suspended at school and land in the criminal justice system.

The findings reinforce the importance of good care in early childhood - but lawmakers continue to debate about if and how to pay for it. The North Carolina programs in Heckman's study, for example, cost about $18,000 yearly per child. That price tag is out of reach for most working families.

During the campaign, President Donald Trump proposed allowing parents to deduct the average cost of child care in their area from their taxes. Details of how that would work, however, have yet to be released.

Ivanka Trump, now special assistant in the West Wing, has been leading White House efforts to work out a blueprint that the GOP-dominated Congress might embrace. Republicans have generally opposed expanding government benefits.

Lynette Fraga, executive director of Child Care Aware of America, a national organization focused on the quality of child care, said politicians should consider child care an economic issue.

"When you have nurturing, responsive care in early childhood, your brain development is on a terrific trajectory," Fraga said. "It's the building blocks for healthy, long-term outcomes. It's a win for parents, children and the future workforce."