Four civil society groups have spoken up in support of National Union of Journalists (NUJ) president Hata Wahari, who is facing a domestic inquiry by his employer, “Utusan Malaysia,” for being critical of political interference in the newspaper.
We echo the words of NUJ general secretary V Anbalagan that Hata was speaking in his capacity as a union official and thus merely exercising his rightful duty and fulfilling his national obligation. The management of “Utusan Malaysia” is as free to make a public rebuttal if it disagreed with Hata. It should not penalise Hata by subjecting him to a domestic inquiry that may result in him being fired.
According to Hata, the domestic inquiry notice followed two show-cause letters from the management – on 14 October 2010 and 14 November – in response to his first statement as NUJ president on 21 September. The domestic inquiry letter was dated 23 December, and received on 27 December.
Hata has been speaking out since he was elected to the top union position in September, and appears to be implementing his election manifesto, which includes engaging in efforts to abolish the draconian Printing Presses and Publications Act as well as promoting ethical reporting on religious and race issues. He also aimed to monitor newspapers that contravene journalism ethics in this regard (http://nujstar.org/?p=92). His first statement took to task senior editors of the much-criticised “Utusan Malaysia” for failing to advocate media freedom in their quest to serve the agenda of their political masters UMNO. His new year statement cited racist rhetoric in the same paper as the reason for the daily’s declining sale, and urged the authorities to act against the editors for inciting racial hatred.
We note that this is the first time in a long while since an NUJ leader has spoken up against unethical media practices, which he correctly blamed on the lack of media independence due to political interference and restrictive laws.
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We believe that Hata was not only speaking up for the integrity of the profession, but for the right of all Malaysians to have a media that will put the people as their first loyalty, and truth as their first obligation, which means allowing as many different perspectives as possible so that the people can judge and decide for themselves what is truth.
We view any attempt to sack the union president for expressing his opinion in defence of journalistic integrity as a serious attack on the freedom of expression and media freedom.
We call on all journalists, unionised or not, to stand behind Hata and urge for the domestic inquiry, rescheduled to 17 January, to be called off.
Similarly, all Malaysians who want a free media must now speak up and stand in line together with the journalists.
Jointly issued by:
Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ)
Charter 2000-Aliran
Writers’ Alliance for Media Independence (WAMI)
1 Muted Malaysia
5 January 2010
For more information, contact: Masjaliza Hamzah, CIJ Executive Officer, 03-40230772; Anil Netto and Mustafa K Anuar, Charter 2000-Aliran coordinators, aliran (at) streamyx (dot) com; Wong Chin Huat, WAMI chairperson, chinhuatw (at) gmail (dot) com; or Josh Hong, 1 Muted Malaysia coordinator, [email protected].
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
Do Malaysians value press freedom? The reaction from the public to Utusan’s persecution of Hata has been muted. Don’t they care that the press has been cowed…? Is it because they don’t know about it? Without a free press, BN will continue to rule us forever.
Wake up, people. You deserve the government you vote for.
TRUTH STRANGLED IN MY BELOVED COUNTRY
OUR SO CALLED LEADERS MUST TELL THE TRUTH TO THE PEOPLE WHO ELECTED THEM.
I was told not to shout but if i am not heard i must shout out.
I say we must instead of havinga royal commision of inquiry, we must simply havea peoples commision for the truth .
The truth in any matter concerning our citizens.
The truth in TBH death .The truth in kugans death, The truth in altantuyas dath, The truth in how billionsof dollars were mishandled by some leaders.
The truth in how some very specail peole became so filthy rich when they were merely paupers .
The truth in why our economy is going bad, The truth in why our eductaion system has failed.
UNTILL THE TRUTH IS TOLD I WILL NOT MARCH FOR MY COUNTRY ANYMORE.
With every death or lie our counrty gains a killer or liar.With ever truth told our country becomes closer to God