A personal view of what makes an effective media council — Yiswaree Palansamy
17 May 2019
Nevertheless, as I scrolled through different drafts, several thoughts on issues that may potentially plague an otherwise noble idea came to mind. The rationale perhaps comes from the fact that such a practice has been serving us well since time immemorial. For many journalists without paper qualifications, experience has been the only one needed for excellence.
While I personally, absolutely abhor elitism, the definition of “journalist” must be stricter in order to avoid the profession being exploited with the same tactic that politicians use in their own turf. For example, only a journalist who works on the ground is able to truly understand the circumstances and the working environment of the profession. If a journalist were to face an inquiry for censure due to a complaint, it is imperative that the council hearing him or her has a fair representation of his or her peers, in order for due process to be done.
This is definitely a step back for media independence, since one person in the media council is able to decide what should or should not be in the news. As clichéd as it may be, the universal truth is that power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. This is a problem faced by many media councils around the world, including the Australian Press Council .
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
RHB Bank aims to disburse up to RM2b personal financing this year | Malay MailKUALA LUMPUR, May 14 — RHB Bank Bhd is aiming to disburse up to RM2 billion in personal financing to eligible borrowers this year. Group retail banking, acting head, Nazri Othman said the bank was partnering with Finology Sdn Bhd to offer customers five-minute application for personal financing,...
Read more »
High Court orders forfeiture of RM693,000 from Segamat Municipal Council sports club | Malay MailJOHOR BARU, May 15 — The High Court here today directed that RM692,952.48 in cash belonging to the Segamat Municipal Council Sports and Welfare Club (MPS KSK) be forfeited due to suspected money-laundering activities. Judge Datuk Wira Halijah Abbas made the decision to revoke the club’s claim...
Read more »
Report suicidal postings immediately to authorities, MCMC advises social media users | Malay MailKUALA LUMPUR, May 16 ― Social media users are advised to be more attentive and sensitive to any suicidal postings on social media to prevent incidents like what happened in Sarawak, on Monday, from recurring. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) said reports should be...
Read more »
Cosmetics queen Vida body shames daughter on social media, tells her to ‘shape up’ | Malay MailPETALING JAYA, May 14 — Cosmetics entrepreneur Datuk Seri Hasmiza Othman, popularly known as Datuk Seri Vida, took to social media yesterday to publicly criticise her daughter’s weight. Vida had uploaded a photo of her and her two children, Muhammad Eric Zaquan Mohd Amin and Nur Edlynn Zamileen...
Read more »
Eddin: The proposal for MMC is not to restrict the media | Malay MailKUALA PILAH, May 16 — The proposal on the establishment of the Malaysian Media Council (MMC) is not aimed at restricting the freedom of the media in the country. Instead of that, Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Eddin Syazlee Shith said it was aimed at providing...
Read more »
Leong Hup makes Bursa debut at premium of two sen over IPO price | Malay MailKUALA LUMPUR, May 16 — Leong Hup International Bhd made its debut on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities at a two sen premium over its initial public offering (IPO) price of RM1.10 with 20.88 million shares traded. It was one of the largest IPO’s since 2017 and in 10 minutes of...
Read more »
Fire destroys plastic-making factory in KL | Malay MailKUALA LUMPUR, May 14 — Several loud explosions were heard when fire destroyed a plastic manufacturing factory in Jalan Genting Klang here last night. According to an eye-witness, he heard more than 20 explosions in the incident at Jalan Perusahaan Kiri, Setapak, at about 7pm. The security chief...
Read more »
Singapore central bank says it made timely, relevant, adequate disclosures on 1MDB | Malay MailSINGAPORE, May 13 — The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) says it made timely, relevant and adequate disclosures of its regulatory findings and actions relating to the 1Malaysia Development Bhd’s (1MDB) investigations. Its director for corporate communications, Jerome Lee said the central...
Read more »
'Media Council not aimed at restricting press freedom'Deputy communications minister assures that it is only to provide clear guidelines to media practitioners.
Read more »
National laureates need not be just Malays, says A. Samad Said | Malay MailGEORGE TOWN, May 13 ― The nomination of the Malaysian National Laureate does not necessarily have to be confined to only Malay writers, said one of its recipients Datuk A. Samad Said. He said future candidates can be of any ethnicity as long as the person is a writer who had contributed...
Read more »
Sunway University lodges report over threats made on social media
Read more »