By Helen Ang
_______________________
The activist who has been the chiefest proponent of a Pakatan Rakyat newspaper, Wong Chin Huat suggests rescuing Makkal Osai by having one of the PR State Governments grant it permission to print, and told me some efforts to this end are afoot.
He points out that Section 25 (1) of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 says: “Nothing in this Act shall extend to the publication or making of any documents or periodical by or for the Federal or any State Government or any statutory body.”
Meaning, a paper published by the state will not fall under the PPPA. Chin Huat urges, “We can see Makkal Osai tomorrow back on the news stand if any of the PR State Governments will issue an authorization letter today for the daily to publish for the state.”
He had discovered the exemption clause a while back (and it was made known to PAS, PKR and DAP) as well as alerted me when The People’s Parliament launched ‘Boycott the Newspapers!’
Before March 8, the fear was that BN with their then 2/3 majority in Parliament would act to close this loophole if state newspapers were proposed. However, now’s the time to put the idea more firmly on the table and the banned Tamil newspaper can be a first experiment.
Chin Huat argues, “The opposition and civil society has condemned the suspension of The Star, Sin Chew, Watan (1987), Sarawak Tribune, Guang Ming Daily northern edition, Berita Petang Sarawak, Weekend Mail (2006) and Makkal Osai (2007) but what have all the condemnations achieved? It certainly has not stopped BN from suspending Makkal Osai again!”
Indeed BN in setback have shown themselves to be vindictive of their political opponents, and are downright saboteurs. There’s plenty of mischief in the coalition and March 8 has only wiped away the previously smug veneer to reveal their deep capacity for nastiness.
Note:
Chin Huat’s blog is on the Blogroll right of this page – ‘People are the Boss’. He is chairperson of Writer Alliance for Media Independence. WAMI was formed in 2001 when 90 writers banded together and stopped contributing articles to Chinese media to protest MCA’s takeover of Nanyang Press Holding Berhad.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hartal MSM stand:
When we launched our Boycott campaign, we were eight individuals who certainly did not possess the overweening hubris to think that we could bring the multi-billion ringgit Malaysian newspaper industry to its knees. Nor did we intend to make people lose their jobs.
Our short-term objective had been to blunt BN black propaganda during the election. But now that the political tsunami has upended the old scheme of things, Hartal MSM agrees newspapers should have breathing space to see if they can bring their fearful heads above water.
Birdseye and BENAR have the full support of our committee to try persuading MSM to report more truthfully. After which we’ll take stock.
With PR in power, the PPPA loophole now provides a fallback position for the newspapers to continue printing should they be suspended by the Home Ministry. So MSM should no longer use the permit requirement as chief excuse not to do their jobs as journalists.
Truth of the matter is, MSM being Malaysia Boleh want their crutches, cake and eat it too.
Over the past 5 years when online alternatives began posing a challenge to them, instead of pressuring BN to repeal the PPPA, newspapers had asked that the same set of government restrictions be applied on non-mainstream info providers so as to level the playing field. MSM’s rationale of fairplay is to hobble competitors instead of breaking free of the shackles that impeded their own freedom to report.
Pursuant to our original purpose, if Boycott has managed to wean some readers away from MSM, then we consider we’ve done a meritorious deed. The Hartal committee does not subscribe to or buy local newspapers, nor by and large read ’em rags.
We once again thank all the Malaysians who have supported our campaign and appreciate your continued participation in giving us feedback as to how MSM is currently performing. It is Makkal Sakhti that will take newspapers to the court of public opinion.
temenggong
April 19, 2008
I hope the Slangor govt authorises the publication of Makkal Osai as the state’s paper! This is the time for PKR to score big with the Indians.
Well done Wong Chin Huat!
Singam
April 19, 2008
It seems poetic that Makkal Sakthi comes to the rescue of Makkal Osai.
We live in interesting times.
jarod
April 19, 2008
I would like to say that the boycott newspaper campaign had been successful based on statistic. You had requested that every tuesday will be the mainstream media boycott day. I have a business friend who told me that tuesday newspaper unsold rate was higher. The amount sold after election days was low and thus i see the effectiveness of your campaign. keep it up!
Paul Warren
April 19, 2008
The challenge is now to the Pakatan Rakyat. Are they going to issue that letter authorising Makkal Osai to go ahead and print for the liberated states of Malaysia? Or are they NOT going to do anything so as not to antoganise the Barisan Nasional?
Over to you Pakatan!! And great job, Chin Huat!
Shiok Guy
April 19, 2008
PR should not be scared of the BN, and if the loophole is there and legally possible for the PR State to issue the letter, please do so!
Anwar, the ball is in your court, have a ball and start playing it right.
Since PR control Selangor, Perak, Penang, Kedah and Kelantan. This 5 states already control most of the economic activities and majority of the population. So let do it PR!
Can you imagine all the media will have thier license issue by PR’s State.. COOL!
Can those newspaper be circulate in Non PR’s State? Cab someone enlighten me?
Shiok Guy
http://shiokguy.blogspot.com/
P/S: Parents’ Resource for autism is having an art exhibition from 20-26 April at the Pavilion. Check out the detail on http://www.pr4a.org or
http://shiokguy.blogspot.com/search/label/Autism
Helen Ang
April 19, 2008
Shiok Guy,
You asked, Can those newspaper be circulated in non-PR State? I’d asked Chin Huat the same (More info on his blog).
According to him, there should be no impediment as to where the newspapers can be circulated as these publications are outside the ambit of the PPPA.
Also the 5+1 PR states are contiguous and make, like you say, a “Cool!” connected corridor, which should be of help in consolidating a readership base,logistics and delivery.
Jason
April 19, 2008
Makkal Osai can go online if they want.
Pegasus
April 19, 2008
Great job Chin Huat !!.The more we need PR to be the Federal Goverment. We need to bury BN alive.These idiots won’t learn anything coz’ they are simply thick skin and arrogant in nature with too many strings attached .The battle goes on till a new goverment is formed.
shar101
April 19, 2008
It would be really, really COOL if Makkal Osai can start re-publishing in the PR states with the ‘BENAR’ logo on their front page.
ben
April 19, 2008
May I suggest that the first article MO print should be the dereliction of duty by 29 MPs who failed to submit their questions to Parliament. Here is the link for this disappointing expose http://iamamalaysian.wordpress.com/2008/04/18/the-height-of-irresponsibility-29-mps-did-not-submit-parliamentary-questions/
novice101
April 19, 2008
PM, you have got to change!
This is not a one man’s decision, it must be the consensus reached by the cabinet. But as the PM, AAB should cast his deciding vote here. Under extraordinary circumstances and in special cases, the top man should seize the occasions to set the direction and the tone the cabinet is to take. He is the leader, he gets the accolades when things turn out to be right, and he, too get to shoulder a larger portion of the blame when things turn out bad. AAB should know by now this is his greatest weakness. He should know by now the rakyat will not allow anyone to absolve oneself of blame by pleading consensual decisions.
MM was very good at this and he was seen as effective and decisive. PM, you have got to change
chinhuatw
April 19, 2008
Just to clarify a point. I believe in PR having a non-discretionary policy in granting the exemption to anyone who want to publish, rather than PR publishing its own newspaper.
Thanks to all your support on the idea. I hope more will push for it.
Paul Warren
April 19, 2008
Helen,
You referred to a a “Cool!” connected corridor,”.
Were you not referring to the “Liberated States of Malaysia”?
9to5
April 20, 2008
A very good suggestion and contribution by Wong Chin Huat!
May I suggest in addition to reviving Makkal Osai, please also look into the possibility of setting up a new newspaper in English, Malay and Chinese for the 5 PR controlled states to get their news across to the Rakyat. Not every one have access to the internet.
However a point to ponder is whether PR wants to revive Makkal Osai per se or absorb the staff over to a new Tamil newspaper. You must remember that Makkal Osai is owned by a BN component party, Dr Subramaniam of the MIC.
If Makkal Osai is revived in the 5 PR controlled states in the way suggested, what is there to stop BN in future under Badawi or an authoritarian like Najib, assuming he took over the mantle from Badawi, from twisting the arm of Makkal Osai (through the financier, Dr Subramanium who is still in BN) to become another MSM.
Wouldn’t it be better for PR controlled states to start a new Tamil newspaper absorbing the staff of Makkal Osai? That should future-proof the tamil newspaper getting across the news of PR.
malay-tree
April 20, 2008
Tribute to Bagok (Ayam Pahlawan, Bini Sereban!)
Mahu baca kisah tentang sejarah ayam pahlawan. Boleh dibaca di
http://malay-tree.blogspot.com
Terima Kaseh.
johnleemk
April 20, 2008
Haris, I don’t know about whether BN can close off this loophole. If I recall correctly they only need a simple majority to amend legislation. I don’t know of any amendments they would need to make to the Constitution to get rid of this loophole.
Given the wording of the PPPA, the Makkal Osai would have to be published as a publication of whichever state government grants it the right to publish. From a purely legal standpoint, the state government is not giving permission to publish; it has to publish the publication itself. Only then is the publication exempt from the PPPA.
tan man kuan
April 20, 2008
I suggest all PR run states start their own newspapers to provide the present MSM some competition for the readers’ money.Perhaps each PR state come out with a different language newspaper.
temenggong
April 20, 2008
We need a legal opinion on this issue by Haris and others.
raj raman
April 20, 2008
Every time home ministry or BN want to sabotage someone or something,they will say for public interest.
Can the home minister can clarify whats the mistake makkal osai did wrong.At least we Malaysian will knows the reason.
If home minister cant give a good reason,then he deserve to be the cook in his home.
raj raman. Always reason out with people,if the other parties is got facts i will back off.( this actually for you haris,i back off due to you gave me the reason and i hope u r well inform. )
hutchrun
April 20, 2008
Online and print is best. There are many indians who do not have PCs.
Thinking Cap
April 20, 2008
First of all Well done Wong Chin Huat for your effort.We should request the PR constitutional Lawyers to interpret the act and seek it’s legality.Then proceed by drawing the attention of international journalists over the gross injustice towards Makkal Osai by the BN government.PR can use it as a vehicle to reach the Indian readers. Perhaps Makkal Osai can insert a fine line to advice readers to go online for English and Malay translation(provided they have the financial resources).At the same time let the world know how tyrannical is the BN government that denies it’s matured citizen the freedom of choosing their own newsprint media. Every action and reaction should be video taped and aired in the internet. This is the only way to go about seeking justice and freedom.
RN
April 20, 2008
My god! look at the extent to which the BN govt goes to rid itself of any opposition, perceived or not. Nothing specific against ‘Makkal Osai’ same as nothing specific against the Hindraf 5 under ISA. Just hide under general statements of threat and yet the PM wants the support of the citizens to carry on his duties. What a sham.
Moderator the indie story...
April 20, 2008
Khalid Ibrahim tak minat BABI!
Artikel ini boleh dikongsi baca di http://theindiestory.blogspot
tQ
citizen4u
April 20, 2008
If there is such a loophole, then it should be exploited to PR’s advantage. Not only should PR think of giving the greenlight to Makkal Osai to publish (even if the circulation is only within the states under its control)but it should also seriously look into the possibility of introducing an alternate newspaper that would amplify its BENAR media berani bebas slogan and logo.
PR should invite investigative journalists who not only expose the wrong doings of the BN but who are willing to report fairly without any fear or favour. Citizen Nades of the Sun comes to mind of such a good and respected journalist.
I have stopped subscribing to the MSM but would not mind spending on newspapers that do not have any onesided political slant.
raj raman
April 20, 2008
Haris,
I think i dreaming in your dream.Pakatan already get approval for PKR newspaper.
So if pakatan want makkal ossai to be printed,i am dreaming in your dream.can say SAYONARA to makkal ossai if the home half cook minister say otherwise.
Politician is like snake (poor the snake,everytime human see a snake kill them but not politician).
POLITICIAN IS ORANG MINYAK.VERY SLEEPERY.
RAJ RAMAN.
Birdseye
April 20, 2008
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
– Alexander Pope (1688 – 1744).
I very much hope everyone’s dream will come true in this case.
So far all we have read in this blog is ONE section from the Act -Section 25(1)- that says (assuming that the transcription is accurate): “Nothing in this Act shall extend to the publication or making of any documents or periodical by or for the Federal or any State Government or any statutory body.”
And of course one activist’s conclusion that this is the way to run rings around the government where the PPPA is concerned. I can only hope that this man’s conclusion is a valid and thus joyful one. And I suppose credit must also be given to PP for fostering all this enthusiasm.
I hope I’m wrong but please allow a word of caution.
I will be very surprised indeed if the government could have dropped the proverbial egg in a matter that is so crucial to its hold on power in the last 50 years. Why isn’t there a mass circulation newspaper by PAS out of Kelantan? I don’t mean their inhouse stuff, like PKR’s Suara Keadilan. Perhaps, the PAS guys doesn’t know the Act as well as Wong Chin Huat.
I was hoping to find a copy of the Act online but failed as even the Home Ministry does not make it available on its website. This is not to say all the authorities are useless. The DCA for example makes available the entire Civil Aviation Regulations 1996, if you have such a need for it.
I think the definition of ‘documents’ and ‘periodical’ appearing in this section would be key to the understanding of this section. I think it refers to such things like, say, the federal Ministry of Tourism’s (or the State’s) brochures and travel guides, the production of such documents being in the hands of the government itself. Thus the Act will not apply. It will be farcical otherwise.
I will not be surprised that “newspapers’ and other printed stuff like magazines or journals for purchase by the public will be carefully defined and Section 25(1) may not be the saviour for Makkal Osai.
It would also be interesting to know if the Act has a section that grants the home minister sweeping powers to act as he sees fit and thus close all those embarrassing loopholes and disconnect between federal and state laws.
Now, who has a copy of the Act?
Birdseye
April 20, 2008
Benar is about a free and fair press. It is about encouraging journalists (and thus the papers they write for)to act without fear or favour. They can only be as brave as their editors will allow them to be. And these editors in turn have to please their masters in the MCA and elsewhere.
I interpret the government’s action against Makkal Osai as a warning shot across the bow that it will not tolerate a press that is too critical of the government or a press that heaps praise on the PR. The BN knows that if people in general can see the progress being made in PR-controlled states and see things being done that were not possible during the BN years, they would be in serious trouble in the next GE. By the same token if PR screws up they are done for as well. BN cannot afford to let their grip on the press slip away. I also feel the recent salvo by the NST against the UMNO whiners and Badawi is just sandiwara.
BENAR must use the case of Makkal Osai to highlight its relevancy. Sad to say it, but the timing is an opportune one.
Alas, this can only happen if there are sufficient volunteers.
raj raman
April 21, 2008
Curiousity my kill the cat,i presumed.
How does Malaysiakini,escape all this anti BARISAN and MSN.
Well MAlaysiakini not anti Barisan but telling us the truth i presumed.We bloggers gave tough time for the krismuddin and umno gang BECAUSE OF YOU HARIS.(i believed in your comments sometimes)
Anyone can explain to me please.Maybe i throw the ball to you haris or my guru mr.singam.
RAJ RAMAN.THE NEW CATS IN POLITICS.
raj raman
April 21, 2008
Curiousity may kill the cat,i presumed.
How does Malaysiakini,escape all this anti BARISAN and MSN.
Well MAlaysiakini not anti Barisan but telling us the truth i presumed.We bloggers gave tough time for the krismuddin and umno gang BECAUSE OF YOU HARIS.(i believed in your comments sometimes)
Anyone can explain to me please.Maybe i throw the ball to you haris or my guru mr.singam.
RAJ RAMAN.THE NEW CATS IN POLITICS.
shar101
April 21, 2008
Birdseye,
We’d need the legal eagles to dissect the PPPA to realistically know Makkal Osai’s options if they can proceed and thus far, this has not been forthcoming. (Haris, anyone in the legal team who can assist?)
As you’ve mentioned, Makkal Osai’s case can be the ‘silver bullet’ to pierce the government’s hegemony over the MSM (specifically their top editors).
On the other hand, there could be another facet in Makkal Osai’s case which may not be apparent. That there is an attempt by another group to take over the company’s assets, using legislation as a means to minimise the costs of the acquisition. If this is true, suppression of information is irrelevant. (Someone’s checking on this..wink, wink).
After all, PKR was recently granted a printing permit, therefore, the issue of PR’s progress in handling the ‘liberated states’ runs counter to your analysis (20/04/08 11.36pm).
Singam
April 21, 2008
Dear Raj Raman,
Please don’t embarrass me. I’m not anyone’s guru. I simply took the chance and made some suggestions that you were good enough to accept positively. That’s all.
BTW a guru is a dangerous associate. The guru could stand in your way of reaching your goal. Question whatever you’re told and be ready to follow your own path when you’re confident enough to do so.
Moderator the indie story...
April 21, 2008
pertembungan 3 penjuru, memang memeningkan rakyat jelata.
team A – Tun Mahathir
team B – Anwar & the geng
team C – Ku Li
fikir dalam-dalam mau join team mana? makkal sakhti atau propaganda sakhti. its up to us bro!
Birdseye
April 21, 2008
Shar101,
I wish I could go the this place in KL to buy the 1984 legislation. It’s not a very hefty Act and so should be quite an easy read. Maybe in a couple of days.
Consider this paragraph in the post: “He had discovered the exemption clause a while back (and it was made known to PAS, PKR and DAP) as well as alerted me when The People’s Parliament launched ‘Boycott the Newspapers!’”
Well, we didn’t hear much about this issue from the three parties, did we? Maybe it was all over town but I must have been asleep. Consider also the fact that Malaysiakini does not have much to say about this loophole. Unlike me, Malaysiakini is quite awake most of the time. My guess is they have looked at this section 25 and it’s a bunch of baloney as far as it being a loophole.
No offense meant and still hoping I’m dead wrong so PP did not make an ass of itself by proclaiming that “PR CAN AUTHORIZE MAKKAL OSAI TO PRINT.”
Malaysiakini today has this report “PKR finally gets permit for Suara Keadilan after waiting 8 years”. In it it quotes Syed Hamid Albar saying: “All political parties have their own papers. It’s their party paper. We have not cancelled the licences of any party newspaper.”
As you know, DAP has their Rocket and PAS its god knows what. Have you ever bought such a paper from the newsstand? I don’t think you can find them. I believe these party papers may not be sold to the general public. They are meant for members of the party only.
And did we ever hear PKR telling the minister to bugger off as “we don’t need your approval?”
As Syed Hamid says, it’s no big deal. Other political parties have their own rag. But many readers seem a bit confused and label Suara a newspaper. It most certainly cannot be in the same league as the Stars and the Suns, within the meaning of the 1984 Act.
The Act is very restrictive. Club magazines and even company newsletters also require a permit. And those government servants with little to do at the Home Ministry actually read the stuff and haul the editor or company official up for clarification if they see anything not to their liking.
So to think that the state could go off at a tangent and do what it likes seems a little far fetched. Actually, it sounds pretty absurd.
It all comes down to the definition of ‘document’ and ‘periodical’ in section 25. They must be clearly defined as in all Acts. I very much doubt it covers newspapers and thus it is a non-starter as far as Makkal Osai is concerned. Actually, I should refrain from saying more lest I run afoul of the quote in my earlier post: A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
But this I do know. Just for fun lah.
An advertising blimp(those helium filled balloons you can see all over the place) falls under the definition of ‘aircraft’ within the meaning of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1996. Seems bizzare but here it is, my learned friend:
“aircraft” means a machine that can derive support in the atmosphere from the reactions of the air, other than the reactions of the air against the surface of the earth, and includes any non-power-driven object such as a free balloon, captive balloon, glider or kite and any power-driven flying machine such as an airship, aeroplane, whether a landplane, seaplane, amphibian or a self-launching motor glider, rotocraft, whether a helicopter or gyroplane, and a microlight aeroplane;
The moral of the story is never be fooled by simple words in Acts. Always read the damn Act. And if you don’t, use common sense.
raj raman
April 21, 2008
To,
Mr.Singam,
You avoid my question and haris not anwser yet.
Dont worries about gurus,i just look a bit high on your goodself.
Other than that i do respect your comments.Good advised no harm to accept and i do have my path in life my own way.
RAJ RAMAN;I am worse than the leech,i will stick to my words and honour my words.ANYWAY PLS ANWSER MY QUESTION,WHY MALAYSIAKINI(people paying) AND THE BLOGGERS can EXCAPE FROM HOME MINISTER CAGE.anyone?
shar101
April 21, 2008
Birdseye,
Chill bro. Haris have been kind enough to upload the PPPA on his ‘2 sen’ posting so there’s no need to run to that quaint lil’ shop at Medan Pasar, near the Bar Council building (if it’s still there).
PAS, DAP and PKR didn’t make a fuss of it coz it wasn’t part of their strategy then. Getting more votes was paramount and they had bloggers to help them. Why do you think they jumped on the Barisan Rakyat platform and ‘adopted’ the People’s Declaration?
Mkini is an on-line publication whereas Makkal Osai is hardcopy. There is a difference although the similarities is also a matter of semantics. Besides, Mkini have had their run-ins with the authorities on numerous occasions. Mkini subscribers are urban-based net savvy folks while I reckon M.O. has a wider mix.
Granted, DAP’s Rocket, PAS’s Harakah and PKR’s Suara Keadilan are essentially party newsletters which will contain ‘party news’ and much, much more, in time to come. They too will have problems with the federal government in future, just like Mkini, due to content.
As for SHA granting PKR a permit and considering it as no big deal.. why not? There are hundreds, if not thousands of blogs making their presence felt without the hassle of applying for a permit. Perhaps, there is another reason for this fastrack approval but let’s wait for further developments. (I’m definitely curious on this). Meanwhile, anything remotely ‘alternative’ is in vogue. UMNO bloppers comes to mind (I’d rather these blokes be referred to as bloppers, and not bloggers).
OK.. I’m gonna download that pdf and have the devil check out the details. See yer on the next posting.
Cheers.
Helen Ang
April 22, 2008
Birdseye at 4.05pm
Considering this paragraph in the post above: “[Wong Chin Huat] had discovered the exemption clause a while back (and it was made known to PAS, PKR and DAP) as well as alerted me when The People’s Parliament launched ‘Boycott the Newspapers!’”
PP launched Boycott end of last year at which time PKR and DAP were NOT state governments and the point therefore moot.
As to PAS’ “god knows what” [Birdseye’s turn of phrase], the Islamist party paper is called Harakah and today, boasts a good production quality.
At the height of Reformasi, Harakah, although not technically a ‘newspaper’ for the general public did nonetheless function as a popular news source. I used to read it back then for ‘alternative’ news I would not otherwise see in MSM.
Like Haris explains in his follow-up Makkal Osai post about a publication having ‘the trappings’ of a newspaper, before the government clamped down on its frequency and circulation, Harakah “looks like, sounds like” one but not quite. And yes, it could be bought off the news stands by non-Muslim Chinese women living in KL.
As for Birdseye’s following comment: “And did we ever hear PKR telling the minister to bugger off as ‘we don’t need your approval’?”, he has clearly answered his own question with the paragraph he excerpted from M’siakini, i.e. ““PKR [emphasis mine] FINALLY gets permit for Suara Keadilan after waiting 8 years.”
Is Birdseye assuming PKR submitted its party paper application after March 8? Malaysiakini makes no mention. Or was it that the old paperwork gathering dust somewhere in the bowels of the bureaucracy was recently unearthed? Birdseye’s clearly rhetorical question lacks a sense of timing.
Unless the permit application was indeed submitted over the last month after PKR was already state government with state powers, then Birdseye’s “bugger off” point is moot.
On the other hand, it would appear that the Minister has his own ‘inexplicable’ reasons for granting PKR approval at this juncture when his Ministry has steadfastly refused to do so the past decade.
“A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.”
Unsubstantiated innuendo such that cast aspersions on individuals like Chin Huat by implying he has not read the entire “damn Act” and has not used common sense [as well as other past insinuations against other persons] is a worse thing.
raj raman
April 22, 2008
To,
Shar101.
Partly i you anwser my qeustion but Malaysikini i believe more open than msn.
The bloggers are daring and cunning in Malaysiakini.Can this i do summerised that home minister is dont know much about online news againts their words and we are bocor all their weakness.
Like ali rustam said,his blog hack.but actually he hack himself and shut it down due to blggers whack him until he gave stupid comment of his blogs is hack which i read someone mention that bloggers side is almost full proof from hackers.
RAJ RAMAN.NOW WAITING FOR ANWSER FROM THE HOME MINISTER REPLY IN MY DREAMS.
Singam
April 22, 2008
chinhuatw wrote “I believe in PR having a non-discretionary policy in granting the exemption to anyone who want to publish, rather than PR publishing its own newspaper.”
My understanding is that anything actually published by a state government may be exempt but that does authorise them to offer exemption to anyone else. Did I get that wrong?
Singam,
I think you got this right
raj raman wrote to Shar101 “Partly i you anwser my qeustion but Malaysikini i believe more open than msn.”
Actually that is the complete answer. Malaysiakini is an online publication. There are a number of technical reasons why Malaysian law can’t be applied on such publications.
This was why legal action against MalaysiaToday (the RM7M plagiarist case) could only be taken based on the extract printed in the hardcopy PKR newsletter.
shar101
April 22, 2008
Raj Raman,
Mkini is the opposite of the MSM in terms of news reporting i.e. they have reports which has a ‘different’ view. Therefore, if we’re fed up with BN’s MSM, then Mkini ‘looks’ better. It’s all a matter of perception. But it’s encouraged to read both MSM and alternative media (plus a new version called ‘independent media’) if you wish to find the truth to an issue. I’ve said before “The sum of ALL news, read with a discerning eye, will reveal the truth”. You may even have to find news from overseas websites/blogs, etc on local issues.
Is Mkini brave and smart? I believe they have more dedication and professionalism in upholding the job of the fourth estate because 1) they are a business enterprise not affiliated to any political party and 2) their survival is dependent on loyal readership (subscribers). Helen did a survey and found that Mkini readership INCREASED after GE12 which means Mkini is now perceived as a reliable source. Whether their subscribers have increased as well is something else. Furthermore, Mkini can now be considered ‘mainstream’ in the PR states while the MSM, the alternative.
SHA, the home minister, is probably aware of on-line news content but as yet, is unable to formulate any ‘restrictions’ because the MCMC regulations which began with the launching of the MSC, DONOT allow internet censorship as part of its guiding principles. We can thank TDM for this.
However, for MSM hardcopy, we don’t know how the present AAB administration will handle it, including news content from PR political newsletters (which may look like newspapers) because they have the PPPA to regulate and/or censor. That’s why the Makkal Osai issue is an excellent test case to ‘challenge’ the PPPA.
P.S. Mkini have editors, journalists, reporters, etc. They are not bloggers. Bloggers are basically ‘one person’ doing everything by themselves for FREE. Paid bloggers.. aahh.. that one different story lah.
P.P.S. Ali Rustam is a BLOPPER i.e. an UMNO politician with a blog. Can be considered as a ‘paid blopper’ lah.
P.P.P.S. Dang! Am I getting a one year free subscription from Mkini for writing this?
Helen Ang
April 22, 2008
Shar101 at 10.34am
Shar wrote: “Helen did a survey and found that Mkini readership INCREASED after GE12 which means Mkini is now perceived as a reliable source.”
Helen would like to clarify. What Helen did was look at Alexa graphs on Net traffic comparing the major Malaysian socio-political websites and media outlets on their traffic volume around the time of GE12 and subsequent. It wasn’t any proper ‘survey’ as such, just my own research.
A brief comment on Malaysiakini.
From personal experience writing in the e-paper, I can testify that they’ve never censored my work for content (for which I have cause to complain about). Whatever I’ve been willing to put my name to in terms of pushing the envelope, they’ve been willing to print. One cannot say the same of the English newspapers.
Another thing is to remember that before cyberspace became en vogue and funded and BN-friendly websites coming online recently, Malaysiakini had an uphill battle for many years, including the fear of shutdown or the authorities cracking down.
Some people – editors, reporters, columnists, contributors, letter writers – throughout the struggling years and before March 8 made a conscious choice to have their work appear in Malaysiakini, and kudos to its non-editorial staff too.
Other people chose to lend their pen for hire in MSM, to enjoy the pay, perks, privileges and payola, and rally support for BN and Badawi — yes, most certainly including the much vaunted writers who opine in theSun.
raj raman
April 22, 2008
TO,
SHAR101 AND MR.SINGAM,
OKAY,GOT THE MESSAGE AND THANKS.
Another question;I am malaysian putra but umno in particular said i am indian.How? (just kidding with both of you and glad to meet you alls.This question only umno can anwser in my dream.)
Raj RAman.SAYONARA FOR A WHILE.TIRED ALREADY WITH BLOGGING.