MARCH 3 ― People tend to have plenty to say about press freedom in this country. More often than not I tend to sigh at their justification and definition of the freedom of press.
Often I am left asking more questions than obtaining answers from such people whose first perception of our newspapers is, well, full of “lies”.
Sometimes I go to great lengths explaining how the media industry works here compared to other countries and it is often a daunting task as those who often criticise cannot remember when was the last time they picked up and read a newspaper.
I was once again caught in a similar situation recently.
This time I had to explain how the media fraternity works to public relations officers from a particular organisation. They visited me upon learning that one of our journalists was working on an article involving their company.
They insisted we met and even visited me in the office.
As they had made the effort of swinging by the office, I felt obliged to sit and talk to them. But the conversation we had left a sour taste in my mouth.
Halfway through our “meeting”, I was asked if it was possible to “not run the article” — a request I found to be disturbing.
I politely declined, standing firm with what our reporter had reported.
One of them then offered me electrical appliances — an electric kettle and an iron — to be exact, hoping the gifts would change my mind.
I was insulted.
However, I smiled and politely declined. I told him it was against the company’s policy.
He then said: “What’s your car number. How about I leave the items on your car?”
I said “no” and we ended our conversation. Before leaving, he tried his luck once again.
“Can you twist the story?”
Firstly, we do not write stories. We write reports based on facts and figures. We give people their right of say. If the report is incorrect, aggrieved parties have avenues to set the record straight.
Secondly, these are the same people who request that we “twist” or “spin” our reports and then go on to say “newspapers are filled with lies”.
Friends in the circle later told me such practices were common and this particular organisation had been offering “gifts” to media establishments for the past two decades. This article is not about me.
It is about people who tend to lambast media organisations when most of the time they are the culprits who believe in the art of “spinning”, “twisting” and go to great lengths to ensure a report is not electrifying.
I am unable to convert the staunchest of critics who will continue to harp that journalism in Malaysia is “rubbish”. I may not agree but will nevertheless respect your opinion.
Journalists are the fourth estate — we highlight issues affecting the masses be it good or bad, to ensure there is check and balance.
We ensure the oppressed are given a voice and those who bring about changes are given their due recognition.
We strive to be the voice of the people and the last thing we need is an outsider telling us how to do our jobs.
* This is the personal opinion of the columnist.
