I was at a 'Mamak' restaurant yesterday, 5.8.2013 for breaking of fast. While finishing my food & drinks, I was 'forced' to hear what's on tv3 news bulletin at 8pm. Never mind whether I lost my appetite or not.
I managed to refrain my eyes from watching the tv but not my ears from listening.
It was about the DAP and Anwar/Karpal Singh issues.
I really thought among changes BN govt would undertake to implement post GE13 is to ensure free & independent medias - quality & responsible reporting.
I was wrong for thinking it would happen and I was right that it will never happen, so long as medias here are happy to be 'associated' with them and willing to remain as the 'mouth-piece' of the power-that-be.
When the power-that-be are not prepared to change, the medias will never will.
Simple as that.
Particularly tv3, they are generous over airtime when it comes to report(s) that has(ve) the potential to 'harm' the opposition party and/or it's member(s), but became 'stingy' when the opposition wanted to 'present' their manifesto to the people in GE13.
What more when it's about Anwar Ibrahim, DAP leaders Lim Kit Siang, Lim Guan Eng and others with or in association with the opposition. So 'obsessed' may be, even the tone of news casters are 'peculiar'.
Actually, there is no problem to whatever report(s) concerning the opposition or its member(s), be it just over a 'mystery letter', but they (medias) must be fair to also carry report(s) of wrongdoing(s) involving leader(s) with the Govt or linked to the govt regardless if the report(s) could put them in bad light.
Sound fair?
If the report(s) is not credible, the party(ies) concern has(ve) the option to seek redress in court.
The question is, why one-sided?
Some times, it makes me wonder and can't help asking myself, why the medias here can be so 'negative?'.
Even if they chose to take side, there should at-least be some 'balance', as massive 'propaganda' would easily be spotted by people.
It's true as quoted by Jim Morrison, "Whoever controls the media controls the mind," but reckless and irresponsible reporting can just be self-destructive and to whoever they 'speak' for.
As at today, its not just a case or two, but many where medias (mainstream) lost in courts due to their reports.
When credibility in reporting is not observed, when slanders becoming substance in reporting, can anybody blame the rakyat (people) from turning to alternative medias mainly the internet for information and news?
Hypothetically speaking, should there be a change in Govt in 2018, and the new Govt withdraw their licences, what would they say?
Bad Govt? Irresponsible Govt?
And what would people on the opposite side say when they are treated like how people on this side are treated now?
Won't they condemn the new medias as Govt tools?
Won't they accuse the new Govt controlling the medias?
All are aware the influence of medias on the people. Wouldn't it be good if they play their role towards national reconciliation esp post GE13, providing the people with quality news beside entertainment and others?
For one, I have stop depending on mainstream medias for news. The only news I like to take seriously (if conveyed to me) perhaps, is about sports.
I used to get newspapers delivered to my door for years but stop doing so for the last 15 years. My friends did the same and I am sure, many did just that.
I remember those days, at most 'Mamak' restaurants, it's difficult to see free reading newspapers (mostly Utusan or Berita Harian) lying on the table. More often than not, it's at the possession of the restaurant's patrons. Now, anyone can do his/her own findings.
My fear is, if Govt of the day is not willing and prepared to 'change' the medias, how in the world would they be willing and prepared to make other changes towards becoming an 'accepted' Govt by All Malaysians?
Being minority in popular vote Govt, they should know well enough that more than half of Malaysian electorate are not with them.
Love these quotes-
Thomas Sowell
"If people in the media cannot decide whether they are in the business of reporting news or manufacturing propaganda, it is all the more important that the public understand that difference, and choose their news sources accordingly,"
Malcom X
"The medias the most powerful entity on earth. They have the power to make the innocent guilty and to make the guilty innocent, and that's power. Because they controll the minds of the masses,"
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