Press Statement: Government Intention for Media Consultative Council is undemocratic and wrong
Jul 28, 2011
I refer to Information Minister Rais Yatim’s comments yesterday that the proposed Media Consultative Council’s purpose is only to foster cooperation and not for any other agenda. Sadly for Rais, he is unable to comprehend that “cooperation” between the government and the media is undesirable in any democratic society. Rais further stressed the need for the media to “uphold its responsibilities and follow the law”. I find his ideas disturbing on the following reasons:
1. The government and the media should be separate. Unfortunately in Malaysia, undemocratic laws and ownership structures allow the government unchecked power in controlling the media. I understand the MCC is to be jointly chaired by Rais and Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein. This interference is blatantly undemocratic.
2. The MCC is an ill conceived idea with no genuine democratic purpose except to impose another layer of control over the already shackled media. There is no need for the MCC to teach the media how to be responsible.
3. The social and democratic responsibility of the media is to act as a voice for the voiceless, to function as a means of check and balance, to perform the role as a watchdog looking out for government abuse of power, and facilitate discussion and debate in society. The media is responsible to society, not the political wellbeing of governments.
4. Instead of promoting self-regulation and responsible freedom, the MCC will educate media organisations on how best to “follow the law”. Media laws in Malaysia are draconian. We do not want the media to be forced, through the MCC, to comply with unnecessary regulations which only aim to serve the ruling regime’s political motives.
I urge that the Barisan Nasional government drop this proposal immediately. There is no point in pursuing such a useless proposal.
Chow Kon Yeow
Member of Parliament, Tanjong.
Penang State Exco Member and State Assemblyperson, Padang Kota.
Penang DAP State Chairman.
Daftarlah Sebagai Rakan DAP! 
http://greenstate.penang.gov.my
