This is a commentary to a report on The Star regarding Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s speech at the Asia Media Summit 2008.
There is no such thing as unlimited freedom and the media should not be abashed of “voluntary self-censorship” to respect cultural norms
In a globalized world where news travels in the blink of an idea and is accessible to all, cultural in-sensitivities and arrogance can lead cultures to clash and nations to collide
One example of such in-sensitivities and arrogance in a media publication which leads to a culture clash in the past would be the publications of a series of caricature depicting of Prophet Muhammad that leads to a global issue.
Some cultures in secular countries, it is acceptable to joke about religion and religious figures. How many times have you heard the “a rabbi, a priest and a monk went into a bar” jokes? In some other cultures and countries, this unacceptable.
However we can’t expect journalists to be aware and sensitive of every single cultural dos and donts. In the name of “free speech” or “press freedom” and “freedom of expression”, one gets a ‘get out of jail free’ card to publish about almost anything.
I personally have no problem with this. Long time ago I learned that freedom of speech comes with freedom of not listening. As much freedom as one has in expressing their ideas and opinion, I have the equal freedom not to listen or bothered with one’s ideas or opinion. As much freedom you have in writing your blog, I have the equal freedom not to visit or even bothered with the existent of your blog.
Playing the devil’s advocate however, I do think it is necessary for mainstream press or even independent journalists or blogger who wants to be taken seriously to practice restrain and self-censorship in their publications. Laws should be in place to protected people from defamation and seditious attacks. No such thing as unlimited freedom.
These are essential for the healthy functioning of our multi-racial society. Important not to undermine racial and religious harmony to the extent that it could threaten national security and public order.
A subset of the population however, the smart people, the intellectual people, the rational people, are able to judge by themselves. Think by themselves. The problem is that it’s only a small subset of the population.
The rest of the population are non-rational. The world are made up of non-rational people. Just look at all the shits happening all around the world. We got people killing each other to proof who’s God is better.
Therefore, in order to keep the peace and harmony of a multi-racial, multi-cultural society in a country, it is either you change the mindset of the population, millions of people or just control the few media publications. The last option is easier.
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