I refer to a statement by the PM’s office on 12 February that the media is ” freer than ever before”. This is an incredible, laughable and completely false claim by the PM’s office. That Putrajaya is keeping a tight grip on the media is proven by recent events, including the suspension of the Heat, rejection of a newspaper permit for FZ Daily and banning of Anwar Ibrahim’s BFM radio interview.
The BN government’s control of the media is against democratic norms and the fundamental freedoms contained in the Federal Constitution, in particular Article 10 which guarantees freedom of speech and expression. It also displays the extreme intolerance of political freedoms and dissenting views by Najib and the UMNO/BN government.
There cannot be a free media in this country unless the Printing Press and Publications Act 1984 (PPPA) is repealed entirely. The PPPA gives the BN the power to grant newspaper permits and to terminate the licence of any newpaper. Najib’s much-vaunted amendments to the PPPA in 2012 were mere cosmetic changes which did not enlarge press freedom at all. The print media remains at the mercy of the Home Ministry. Newspapers operate under the threat of having their licences revoked; and Putrajaya frequently summons newspaper editors to rebuke and warn them about news pieces considerd critical of the government.
Further, the government completely bars opposition access to television and radio, including public-owned media such as RTM. This is not just undemocratic, but blatant abuse of public resources and funds by the government for the benefit of the BN political coalition.
In short, the opposition and civil society is totally denied fair coverage in the print media, TV and radio; and this has been the case since the country achieved independence. Instead of issuing ridiculous statements that the media is free, Putrajaya must immediately repeal the PPPA and allow free access to TV and radio to the opposition and civil society.
N. Surendran
MP Padang Serai
