Thank you, Star, but not this 24th. It’s boycott time!
March 19, 2008
Anonymous sent in this comment at 11.55am this morning :
After all of Haris’ vitriol on MSM, he would appear on The Star forum. What is he trying to tell us? Will he wear that silly t-shirt to the forum?
Politics is the art of the possible – Otto Von Bismarck (1867)
_____________________
Anonymous was referring to the Star Forum scheduled for next Monday, 24th March that was alluded to in yesterday’s issue of the Star and which mentioned that I, together with several others would be speaking thereat.
One of my journalist buddies from the Star ( yes, I do have journalist friends. I keep company with the good guys! ) asked me last week if I would participate in the Forum.
I said yes.
Then this Monday, 17th March, I posted the ‘boycott the lying newspapers’ post calling for a boycott of the MSM for a week to commence from 24th March, the same day that the forum is scheduled to take place.
Last night, at about 9.30pm, I called my friend at the Star, informed him that I felt that given the boycott was set to start on the same day of the forum, I would have to decline to participate in the same and asked that he convey my apologies to management for any inconvenience thereby occasioned.
My friend said he understood and would convey my apologies.
And yes, Anonymous, I was intending to wear that silly T-shirt to the forum.
March 19, 2008 at 1:36 pm
You, with others, can still attend, wearing that silly T-shirt, to listen and observe.
March 19, 2008 at 1:40 pm
brother,
u r great. At least the statement is clear. Boycott the MSM, only then people will see what’s truth, which they have not or never tasted for such a long time.
March 19, 2008 at 1:56 pm
Yes Haris!…Boycott the ‘Longkang’ MSM….Don’t attend/participate in their forum/s…thats the way to get the Clear Message to Them. Enough is Enough! Show them that ‘Civil Society’ can stand up to them, and lead the way to better MSM in this country!
March 19, 2008 at 2:05 pm
Frankly, I think you should go to the forum… wearing that “silly t-shirt”. It is a forum organised by a MSM. If I understand your boycott correctly, it is intended to discourage the purchase of local newspapers until the clean up their act. I think it is fitting that the forum is on the day that the boycott begins. It presents a good opportunity for you to state your case and to tell them in their faces what you think of the lies that they spawn everyday and the consequent risk of discord amongst peace loving citizens. If they choose to invite you then they run the risk of having to hear what you have to say to them. So.. Haris the anonymous message you received, is in my humble view, just an unnecessary distraction.
Ashok,
Whilst I see where you’re coming from, my participation entails an expectation that what I and others on the forum say will be reported and read. That flies in the face of the boycott.
In any event, right through the elction campaign period, civil society and opposition demonstrated a high level of creativity and ingenuity in getting their message out far and wide, without any help from MSM.
Which anonymous message? Oh, that one. Forgot already, lah!
March 19, 2008 at 3:33 pm
Thats right. It is time to show the MSM the power of the people. Bias reporting and telling lies most of the time? Why should we play money to read lies? I better spend the money at the Cinema because u know what you are buying is a fantasy not lies fabricated to be truths
March 19, 2008 at 3:34 pm
I have very high respect for Harris! Black he will said black. White he will said white…
I saw a few of his ceramah and trust me, he is a true Malaysian!
berubahuntukmalaysia,
Truly, truly humbled
March 19, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Yes. Boycott Star. However, one part of me wish Haris will attend the forum and give Wong Chun Wai a piece of the people’s mind. I hope someone can tell Wong Chun Wai in his face how he is below ground for his one sided reporting. Anyway I skip all Wong Chun Wai’s articles now for all his reports contain lies.
March 19, 2008 at 4:06 pm
Do we need a MSM that takes the public for a ride?
Are we nuts to read the nonsence?
Who are they trying to fool?
Yes ! Lets UNITE and Boycott the Newspapers.
We want the truth and nothing but the truth !!!
March 19, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Yes, I fully suppport the boycott MSM for 1 week from 24/3/08. Pls disseminate this boycott campaign to all so that it will be an effective effort to get MSM do their job professionally. If it is a successful one, MSM will then kowtow to the rakyat, not to the parasitic oppressive UMNO/BN government. TRUTH must not be clouded to deceive rakyat.
March 19, 2008 at 4:22 pm
Oh what a wasted opportunity, if I may say so.
I agree with SV Singam you should attend wearing the yellow Boycott T-shirt and Bersih hat. They may try to prevent you wearing the T-shirt because the STAR is playing host but you can wear something over the yellow and reveal it later on stage.
I will pay money just to hear you say to Wong’s face how bias the MSM was in their election coverage (and you have all the stats)and in earlier events like the Bersih march to the palace.
I think you might add that some even believe the MSM has contributed to the thumping handed to BN because MSM’s desire to paint a rosy and false picture had led their masters into a state of self-denial.
Do it man, do it.
Buddy,
See my reply to Ashok’s comment.
Maybe we should organise our own Forum and invite the MSM head honchos?
What say you all?
March 19, 2008 at 4:51 pm
Folks,
All is not lost if Haris decides not to attend the Star forum.
There is ZI who participated in the Bangsa Malaysia gathering at BlogHouse on 25/8/07. And he’s a minister too.
Question is, will he speak for us?
March 19, 2008 at 4:58 pm
I risk being accused of shooting from the hip because I have no idea what the forum is about, since I am taking part in this MSM boycott. However, I do wonder if it was proper for you to have agreed to speak in the forum in the first place. Let’s face it Haris. You do have plenty of “street cred” by tirelessly championing the cause(s) of the Barisan Rakyat and Anak Bangsa Malaysia. Should you lend some of your credibility to that rag called The Star…? I think not, unless they show, consistently, that they have mended their ways…
Bendrix,
The optimist in me keeps open the possibility that MSM will change. For that to happen, we must not close doors.
Even as we hammer them, we must also encourage. That is what I had hoped to do if I had taken my place at the forum on the 24th.
To say our piece.
March 19, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Yes, me too will attend the Chat on 24th with that silly yellow t-shirt….but I will wear a new one….I bought two and got one free mah. Anon, you wearing what? If you change your mind and cross over “at no cost…apologies DSAI….I can give you one…remember I have 3. but I will give you the second-hand one, laundered of course.
March 19, 2008 at 5:04 pm
I say ‘yeah’ to our own forum, Haris, but do you think the MSM head honchos will turn up? Naaaaah!
Come to think of it, if you invite the advertisers and Sledgehammer, the MSM mafia will turn up to make sure they don’t lose their dollar daddies.
Why not? Let’s have a Forum – “The Forum For Freedom From Falsehood”
March 19, 2008 at 5:11 pm
It would be interesting if the head honchos of MSM turn up. Lets try it.
On another note, it was also interesting what Anuar Zaini (i think that’s his name) the Bernama head honcho said in an interview on 9th March, to the effect that the election result coverage on TV was a joke because while then nation was being misled by SPR that BN was leading, his driver and possibly the world had known, albeit unofficially, that BN was being decimated. He, of all people suggested that the MSM must do some soul searching and “reinvent”.
March 19, 2008 at 5:11 pm
Haris responded to Ashok “Whilst I see where you’re coming from, my participation entails an expectation that what I and others on the forum say will be reported and read. That flies in the face of the boycott.”
I should think that, having been burnt so many times, all segments of Barisan Rakyat should boycott the making of statements to the MSM on a permanent basis to avoid being misquoted.
But we can always make our presence felt as observers (in the silly T shirt, of course) – We Are Watching You!
March 19, 2008 at 5:18 pm
I think the forum is a great idea. Suggested topic – Whither Press Freedom.
Representation from BN may throw up some interesting possibilities.
Heck, we may even end up offering embattled journalists a lifeline.
March 19, 2008 at 5:33 pm
Get Zaid Ibrahim to be one of the speakers.
March 19, 2008 at 6:12 pm
Harris,
Show them who’s the BOSS… My friends and I had been boycotting them for some time now. These MSM (print media)are only good for one thing: bungkus nasi lemak!
March 19, 2008 at 6:31 pm
Have already started NOT to buy Star, NST, etc… Also informed frens and family. Lets see how they get along without readers like me!
Well done Haris. Let’s see the people power in action again!
March 19, 2008 at 7:01 pm
I used to have very hard regards of the Star before but
due to its unfair reporting now, my respect for the paper is nought.
Please remember that you newspaper people depends on its
readers for survival. Please try not to under-rate us. Beware of readers’ power.
To Datuk Wong Chun Wai, why are you so bias against the
Keadilan-DAP-PAS.
March 19, 2008 at 8:42 pm
To have maximum impact of the boycott,lets do it one msm at a time for a period of 2 weeks,why not start with The Star from 24th onwards for 2 weeks.If we boycott all the msm at the same time,I think the effect is neglegible.Give them a lesson that they will never forget for making us like a bloody fool.Let hit them with the maximum impact deep and hard.
The advantage to us is their major market it at the west coast state.Let mobilise all the bloggers united members,sms and emails.It’s payback time.
March 19, 2008 at 8:51 pm
All we want is for the MSM to practice their profession the way it is meant to be, ie. reporting all sides and balanced representation of opinions.
Is that so difficult?
The myth of riots if BN loses has been shattered once and for all. The MSM must learn.
The MSM have an important role to play in nation building. Why don’t they see it?
March 19, 2008 at 9:39 pm
I have faith that you would do the right thing, Haris. And I haven’t been wrong yet.
bayi,
Thanks for the vote of confidence
March 19, 2008 at 9:40 pm
Alamak ! Booked 2 seats today just to hear YOU talking. Never mind, lain kali saja lah.
Hello star? I am calling to cancel my seats for monday forum…. Sorry
March 19, 2008 at 9:57 pm
hi harris,only lately i involve in playing around with bloggers like u.however from many comments from your reader/supporters i believe you are the man of your word.please do attend the msm.we need someone like you to give some of your ideas.as we always believe,we need opposition parties to be the check and balance.so i hope u will attend and give msm some of your ideas.dont bother whether they accept your ideas.old habit die hard,but people like you can make some impact later part in their oppinion.PLS ATTEND AND GIVE YOUR PIECE OF MIND.DONT ALLOW ALL THE BN PEOPLE KEEP FEEDING WORDS INTO OUR MOUTH.NOT ALL MALAYSIAN INTERNET SAVY.THANKS.RAJ RAMAN.RACE.MALAYSIAN.RELIGION;MY WISH MY PROBLEM.dreaming to be malaysian putra
March 19, 2008 at 10:03 pm
I wonder indeed about these new rules of engagement. The only ones more abhorrent than the machais are the lalangs.
Star did not run your boycott newspaper PC, did it? It was only after the unbelievable results of the GE did the paper start engaging the public, the opposition MPs, the bloggers etc.
It serves us well to remember these lalangs. Sway whichever the win blows. Dangerous.
March 19, 2008 at 10:31 pm
would like to share u my experience.it was one of those pre-election days so i stayed away from the MSM. But needed to read something with my breakfast so i decided to get the malay mail.Malay mail really pissed me off and i felt guilty contributing to their cause.what i did was RETURN the paper to the vendor. THIS WAY THE VENDOR MAKES THE $1, NOT THE BULLSHITERS.
March 19, 2008 at 11:29 pm
Hahaha………we have never been so satisfied and have great feeling of joy for the first time in all our 5 BR states presently. Now most of the big gun and the trouble makers from the bn (now called OPPOSITION)are eating their own medicine.
March 20, 2008 at 1:12 am
When there are 2 sides to a story and one side decides to boycott, then that side will not be heard. How then to lament later that the media is reporting only 1 side of the story? To expect totally balanced reporting from any newspaper is perhaps wishful. Humans, by nature, are bias. Some are just more than others. What is needed is more newspapers to, balance the imbalance perhaps?
Cheers.
March 20, 2008 at 1:32 am
YOU DID THE RIGHT THING BY NOT ATTENDING. WE KNOW THAT THEY HAVE A TRACK RECORD OF LYING. THEY CAN DISTORT, MANIPULATE OR CAN MAKE YOU LOOK BAD. ” WHY GO INTO A TIGER DEN, WHEN YOU CAN SHOOT THEM FROM AFAR.”
March 20, 2008 at 3:20 am
KU LI PALU GENDANG PERANG!
Gedang perang telah dipukul bertalu-talu. Gegak gempita Tanah Malaya. Muncung-muncung meriam sedang dihalakan ke Mahligai Putra Jaya. Serunai ditiup sayup-sayup bunyinya. Bala tentera telah berada diperbatasan terakhir…
Inilah saki-baki bala tentera yang masih setia kepada Anak Raja berjiwa rakyat. Percubaan terakhir untuk menakluk hieraki kepimpinan UMNO. Setelah dimalu dan diaibkan semenjak sekian lama; Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah bangkit menuntut kembali takhta singahsana UMNO yang dirampas darinya semenjak diakhir tahun 70an lagi.
Bapa Ekonomi Orang Melayu masuk kembali kegelanggang sebagai seorang Panglima Melayu berpantang undur sebelum ajal. Semenjak kembali semula kepada UMNO pada tahun 1996, Ku Li dilayan saling tak tumpah sebagai Ashkar Gurkha. Segala jasa dan budi beliau kepada ekonomi orang melayu dan pembangunan Malaysia tidak pernah langsung disebut oleh media massa. Legasi beliau terhakis sedikit demi sedikit setelah mengalami ‘kekalahan bermaruah’ hanya 43 undi di Perhimpuan Agung UMNO pada tahun 1987 kepada rakan sekapal Dr. Mahathir Mohammad.
PETRONAS yang menjadi salah satu syarikat petroleum gergasi didunia pada hari ini siapa yang menubuhkannya? Bank Bumi Putra Malaysia Berhad yang banyak menyokong usahawan-usahawan melayu yang baru mula hendak belajar berniaga, siapa yang menubuhkannya? Bangunan UMNO dan PWTC hasil usaha siapa? Anda tidak tahu bukan. Maka rajin-rajinlah mengkaji sejarah. Malah banyak lagi jasa Tan Sri Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah yang tidak cukup untuk disebutkan disini.
( Sila baca artikel selebihnya di:
http://theindiestory.blogspot.com/ )
March 20, 2008 at 5:46 am
Haris
I think a Blog House Forum will be far more purposeful and impactful. And most importantly it would put MSM in their place.
I have attended at least 3 major events in Blog House. MSM failed to show up in two and I believe there were possibly 2, maybe 3 at the last event when the Peoples’ Declaration was endorsed by the Barisan Rakyat Parties.
Why is it that if and when MSM invites, we honour them with our presence? Why is it that when MSM organises any forum, it somehow is supposed to be “the forum” that defines whatever?
I could be wrong, but The Star has basically not been able to use the terms “Peoples’ Declaration”, “Peoples’ Parliament”, or Barisan Rakyat, except baybe, when LKS denied DAP’s association with it.
If The Star wants you to grace and honour one of its forums, I think being a newspaper that is supposed to report, they first have got to acknowledge this Peoples’ movement. After all if this Peoples’ Parliament has left an indelible mark on the GE2008, The Star should feel compelled to report its events lest the people and their readers are denied information about the force that impacts their lives.
Just imagine, if The Star’s forum was to be aired live, and they introduce you as the convenor of The Peoples’ Parliament, what are readers to make of it when they have never heard of you or Peoples’ Parliament through their favourite paper?
March 20, 2008 at 7:58 am
[...] Thank you, Star, but not this 24th. It’s boycott time! [image] [image] [...]
March 20, 2008 at 9:40 am
Who is guy who says ‘that silly ‘T’ shirt’?…its a ‘T’ shirt with a powerful message to MSM, that Enough is Enough! People have had enough of their nonsense!
I am quite proud to wear it, Haris! I see that Tony Pua and Charles have accepted the invitation to participate in the Forum at the STAR on the 24th. How disappointing!…at the very least they should appear at the Forum wearing that Powerfull ‘T’ shirt….I think that its the very least that they can do, to send the clear message home!
March 20, 2008 at 10:47 am
Let us try to remember that we have caused the change WITHOUT the help of MSM.
They are no longer a force in the shaping of public opinion. So let us just move on without them. I say just STOP BUYING NST,THE STAR and the other mouthpieces of the BN. Week long boycotts are simply “main main”. If you believe the news you are paying for is crap, why do you want to buy after a brief boycott?
Let us move on the nourish our own channels where truth and transparency will rule without fear or favour. The better we get, the more we will attract and the faster will the so-called MSM come to its timely demise.
March 20, 2008 at 12:42 pm
“Just imagine, if The Star’s forum was to be aired live, and they introduce you as the convenor of The Peoples’ Parliament, what are readers to make of it when they have never heard of you or Peoples’ Parliament through their favourite paper?”
Haris,
Since you have decided not to take part in the forum, it’s rather moot to say more. But imagine how great an opportunity it will be for you, especially if it is a LIVE forum, to do a plug on PP; why you started this animal and what the blog stands for, la dee da dee da. With your eloquence, people who have never heard of you through their favorite paper will be overwhelmed by a sense of self pity that they did not come to know of you – in less than 2 minutes.
Tony Pua will be the first to testify that Barisan Rakyat does indeed owe a huge debt of gratitude to the likes of you, RPK – just to name two. And I hope he will. Anyway, I will try to sneak into the forum come what may and ask him this question.
While corruption is rampant in this country, I’m often bemused by the publication of statistics like that international corruption index that places Malaysia in ‘x’ position out of ‘n’ countries and so forth because it is all so subjective. We just can’t quantify it. We could even be lower down the ladder.
However, when the international community reports that Malaysian elections are unfair, a consistent view over the past few decades, because of the denial of air time or MSM space to the opposition parties, we, the people can readily agree with the assessment. This is simply because one does not need to be a rocket scientist. Just turn the pages and the blatant bias and propaganda are all there on display.
We could do nothing for years. It was rammed down our throats. Now we have the Internet but it is really this creature called ‘blogger’ that has made the difference. Together, they gave people a sense of solidarity and it is this factor that has brought out the thousands to attend the ceramahs and even vote for candidates who may seem unsuitable to some. The MSM has lost the war. Because of people like you.
Sorry, I just do not buy the arguments in support of you not attending. So sorry lah.
March 20, 2008 at 1:06 pm
I agree 100% with you, Paul.
March 20, 2008 at 2:23 pm
I’ll boycott MSM until they’re giving fair reporting.
March 20, 2008 at 6:06 pm
Excerpt taken from the Star – 18th March 08:
“..and Haris Ibrahim, a human rights advocate and leader of the People’s Parliament, an NGO.”
TPP is an NGO meh? And no mention of his legal practice.
Plus I’m certain Haris abhors to be given the designation as ‘leader’.
A fair amount of consultation (and heated debates…quorum consensus, etc) are done behind the scenes before any initiative is put forth here at TPP.
Besides, even if Haris decided to participate on Monday 24th, the next day is ‘Paper Free Tuesday’. Netizens can go on-line while hardcopy readers would be in a quandry whether to break the boycott. So how lah?
Let’s stick to the gameplan, shall we. There will be other opportunities to engage the MSM in more ‘neutral’ circumstances.
Meanwhile, ZI seems to have opted out as well. Executive ‘gag’ order? Just wondering if the topic “New politics in post-election Malaysia” would be a hot potato for AAB, knowing ZI’s independent thoughts on such matters.
March 20, 2008 at 8:22 pm
I don’t see why you should cancel your participation. It is not a scrypted forum I presume. There will be a moderator with a specific theme too. You are free to express your opinion ( I am presuming this too). At least the audience would have the opportunity to hear your views. And I am sure there will be bloggers among them who would be in a position to report whatever transpires at the forum truthfully.
The campaign to boycott the newspapers is aimed at punishing them for misreporting events and misleading the public. It is an entirely separate issue altogether. Now that the Star is obviously desirous of engaging you and various others – this was what was lacking in the previous government namely, they were not willing to ENGAGE us – I think you should accept that invitation. Just take their invitation at face value. And attend the forum. And say what you think is correct.
cheerz.
March 21, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Maybe I’ve missed out on something. I have one question that apparently nobody has asked. Have the news-vendors agreed to carry out this boycott? We are talking about something that affects their livelihood. There should be an alternative for them.
LC_Teh,
The newsvendor makes X-sen per copy delivered. Pay him the X-sen for not delivering. He does not then suffer the loss.
March 21, 2008 at 5:29 pm
Hi
Just check the forum panellist, why Haris name not there, remove with reason or no…(
The Star management dun want Haris or sumthing else..
Tell us why..(?
cheers
meego,
I think the post that you have commented on is self-explanatory