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.