HAPPY belated World Press Freedom Day, media practitioners!
Not too late in wishing this? It’s only been two days. And my weekly column appears every Thursdays.
Often, I'm asked by my non-journalist friends what it’s like to practice journalism in Malaysia. Well, I'd usually say it is great and that it isn't different than any other place.
The reason they ask me this question is because they are of the perception that journalism can’t be practiced freely in this country.
But many times, I catch myself thinking if I’m just kidding them with my answer, or am I just kidding myself! Maybe, I’m just in denial.
Obviously, I'm aware of the perception of the press here. How can I not? I have been practicing for nearly 16 years now. I would be blind if didn’t realise it.
Let’s just take a look at the recent past and how it has been for journalism. In the past months, we have seen newspapers being suspended and major online news sites shutting down.
In the past years, we have seen many reporters and editors being detained, interrogated, intimidated and whatnot just for doing their jobs.
Personally, I have had my fair share of run-ins too. I’ve been threatened and warned by people while reporting during the 13th General Election.
I’ve been prevented from shooting videos, manhandled and detained by police while reporting on demonstrations and protests.
I received a lot of hate mails that pray for my demise in many 'creative' and 'violent' ways.
Even my family members have not been spared when it comes to online comments regarding my stories.
It can be pretty easy to be disillusioned and cynical with such a situation.
I know many a reporter who self-censor themselves when they produce stories.
I also know many a middle-aged editor who are resigned to the fact that there is nothing we can do and that when the powers that be say jump, we are just supposed to ask how high.
Of course, there are also those who have bills to pay and need to toe the line so they will have a job and be able to support themselves and their loved ones.
But, I promise you when I say that I know way more reporters who will constantly fight for their rights as well as the public's with their questions and what they can and should report.
I also know way more editors who aren’t afraid and they encourage and support reporters to challenge the status quo and to constantly surge forward.
And I definitely know plenty who have found the balance of staying in the system but still trying their best in their own way to push the boundaries and make sure journalism still survives.
There are many members of the public who also realise the importance of a free press and they are very vocal and loud in wanting to have fair and balanced information.
So, at the end of the day, I look back at all that is happening in the world of journalism in Malaysia and I can’t say that I'm disillusioned or skeptical.
There are too many journalists who have their heads screwed on right in their pursuit to fight for freedom of speech. Even in these trying times, the number of news outlets is more than there ever was.
I'm just excited to be able to play a role and be a part of of things at this moment in time when freedom of speech and the media is needed more than ever.
Zan Azlee
Thu May 05 2016
Astro AWANI's Zan Azlee laments and ponders on the state of journalism in the country. - File Photo
16 kereta, tiga rumah rosak ditimpa pokok akibat hujan lebat di KL
Dalam semua kejadian berkenaan tiada mangsa dilaporkan cedera.
Tragedi Easter: 45 maut, bas terbabas, terbakar
Kesemua yang meninggal dunia itu dilaporkan dalam perjalanan menuju perhimpunan Easter.
Pengasas FTX, Sam Bankman-Fried dipenjara 25 tahun
Bankman dituduh mencuri AS$8 bilion daripada pelanggan dan pelabur syarikat pertukaran mata wang kripto FTX yang kini telah muflis.
Melaka sasar nilai pelaburan RM10 bilion, fokus 10 sektor
Kerajaan negeri berada di landasan terbaik dengan sasaran nilai pelaburan RM10 bilion, apabila meletakkan 10 sektor industri sebagai fokus utama pada tahun ini.
Sabah akan pelbagaikan sumber ekonomi - Ketua Menteri
Sabah tidak boleh hanya bergantung kepada dagangan sumber sedia ada terutama kelapa sawit, minyak dan gas dalam membangunkan ekonomi negeri.
Sarawak perkasa industri hiliran untuk hasilkan produk kayu bernilai tinggi
Kerajaan Sarawak akan terus memperkasakan industri hiliran seperti penghasilan biojisim bagi meningkatkan lagi pengeluaran produk kayu nilai tambah tinggi.
Duta, Pesuruhjaya Tinggi Malaysia perlu mahir pelaburan, perdagangan
Menteri Luar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan mahu perwakilan ke luar negara iaitu Duta Besar dan Pesuruhjaya Tinggi Malaysia mahir dalam aspek perdagangan bagi membawa masuk pelaburan ke dalam negara.
Malaysia kekal komited usaha reformasi ekonomi, terima inovasi dan pembangunan mampan
Malaysia kekal komited dalam usaha mereformasi ekonomi dan pada masa sama, bersedia menerima inovasi serta pembangunan mampan, kata TPM Fadillah.
PSM adakan mesyuarat pascanilai padang SNBJ awal minggu depan
Perbadanan Stadium Malaysia bakal mengadakan mesyuarat pascanilai (post-mortem) berkenaan isu padang SNBJ pada awal minggu hadapan.
Nyawa tiada nilai, maruah pula dibuat main oleh Israel
Sudahlah kejam, jijik, tidak beradap pula. Tidak cukup dengan kekejamannya membunuh berpuluh ribu rakyat Palestin, nyawa manusia di bumi Gaza itu bagaikan tiada nilai buat mereka. Dalam beberapa video yang tular baru-baru ini, tentera Israel dengan bangganya memperolok maruah rakyat Palestin dengan bermain pakaian dalam wanita yang ditemui di rumah-rumah penduduk di situ.
Webinar: Sejauh manakah kebebasan media hari ini?
Indeks Kebebasan Media Dunia 2021 dikeluarkan Reporters Without Borders (Reporters Sans Frontieres) menunjukkan Malaysia berada di kedudukan ke-119.