Media Statement
Silly Ban on Malaysiakini Coverage
The Home Ministry's reason for the ban is that "the website is very critical of the government." It did not say if the criticism was unjustified.
Does the Ministry realise - or care - how absurd and ridiculous they sound? They seem to have run out of logical reasoning and rational thinking in their response to criticism.
Is it suggesting that the government is above criticism and beyond reproach just because it is the government? Is the Ministry insisting that the government is not accountable to the public and therefore should not be questioned?
Government functionaries like Deputy Home Minister Chor Chee Heung must understand that there are rational answers available in responding to criticism rather than resorting to puerile reaction?
How shallow they sound when they try to strengthen their argument by stressing that Malaysiakini "does not have the press credentials like other newspapers in the country." But they fail to disclose that Malaysiakini's application for press credentials was denied because "it did not hold a publication licence" - something that is not required for an Internet-based news website.
It is pertinent to remember that without this so-called "publication licence", Malaysiakini does not cease to be an electronic newspaper; neither does its reporting lack credibility because it does not have "press credentials"
In a brief span of one year, it has established itself as a credible and critical alternative media outfit earning two international awards for its courageous journalism - a feat that is beyond the reach of our mainstream media, which are only capable of toadying up to the Barisan Nasional.
High-handed policies like the barring of Malaysiakini journalists from official functions will only hasten the self-destruction of the BN.
| |||||||||||||||
Aliran is shocked not at the banning of Malaysiakini from covering and attending any government functions but over the silly reasons extended for the ban (The Sun, 5 February).