Where is Anwar? Not in your newspapers...

Malaysia is one of the few countries in the world where falling from grace means being pushed out of the media limelight. No one is more aware of this phenomenon than the man for whom Malaysia’s mainstream media used to fall over each other: former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim.

Ever since his sensational release from jail after his much-publicised trials and lengthy jail stint, Anwar’s whereabouts have often been a mystery. That’s not because he cherishes such ‘invisibility’, but because the media chooses - or are directed - to marginalise him. Take for instance, a news report in The Star on 2 June 2005, about Anwar’s announcement that he is leading Keadilan’s efforts to get PAS and DAP leaders to agree to an opposition coalition. Surely, that’s a major local political news story. But where did the “People’s Paper” see fit to place the report? At the bottom of page 27 (below a report about the seizure of imitation power drills)! Apparently even fake power drills are deemed more important than a powerless politician (who is nonetheless still viewed as a threat). Maybe the editors are hoping that if Anwar is "out of sight", he will be "out of mind" (among their readers).

Anwar, who is now on a political road-show, was reported as saying in The Guardian (31 May 2005) that premier Abdullah had issued a directive to newspaper editors to shut him out. If this claim is true, this directive is not only clear political or executive interference in the mainstream media but also a violation of press freedom.

Such executive action begs the question: is this the shape of things to come under the much-touted Islam Hadhari? Don’t freedom of expression and human rights count for much? Is being in the media limelight the sole preserve of the powerful and the rich? Is this really the social responsibility of the media (especially the ones that pretend to represent the ordinary people): to give immense coverage of the ruling elite to the exclusion of the poor, the weak and the powerless?

Given such a political culture, political ‘has-beens’ - even those from the ruling coalition - can be transformed into the favourite punching bags of ruling coalition politicians, reporters (or should we say stenographers) and editors. (Mind you, these are media editors and reporters who used to fawn over these once powerful politicians during their heady days in power.)

So when former premier Mahathir Mohamad opened his mouth to give his two cents’ worth about endemic corruption in the country, a newspaper editor apparently thought it was safe enough to softly criticise the old man for the prevalence of this social malaise, which, mind you, was also widespread during his rule. Uh-oh, bad move! The editor obviously miscalculated - the Tun promptly berated the editor and this was followed by an indignant chorus of support from the former premier’s allies in Umno. Poor thing, this editor. But then again, it’s hard to feel sorry for the fawning sycophants in the mainstream media who serve the interests of those in power.