Aliran Media Statement

Towards a greater freedom of expression

Aliran fully supports the laudable step taken by 581 local journalists and editors calling for the repeal of the restrictive Printing Presses and Publications Act, 1984. Their action confirms the claim of many concerned Malaysians that this impious piece of legislation is not only undemocratic but also irrelevant today.

It is also our belief that other equally undemocratic laws like the obnoxious Official Secrets Act and the nefarious Internal Security Act have hampered conscientious journalists from contributing towards the growth of a democratic and civil society.

These laws are often defined and applied arbitrarily by the powers-that-be to muffle criticism and stifle dissent. Consequently, they nurture a culture of fear and acquiescence.

In this connection we support the call for the setting up of a media council as a means for regulating the country's media. However, we want to emphasise that this council must be really independent of the government so as to ensure that it will not end up as a rubber stamp, or as a mechanism to legitimise journalistic practices that are undemocratic and unfair.

Finally, we hope that the apparent positive response by Abdullah Badawi, the deputy Prime Minister, to these initiatives is not merely a public relations exercise.

Aliran Executive Committee
7 May 1999