Have things truly changed ?

Published on: Sunday, October 20, 2019

By: Sumisha Naidu

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For many Malaysians, May 9, 2018, will forever change how they look back on history. There is now a time “before Pakatan Harapan”, as well as “after Pakatan Harapan”. For some, it will be known as the day democracy was restored and for others, the beginning of a fumbling government’s reign.

For the press, however, the question is, will our jobs be easier, worse or more of the same? Fast forward to the days and weeks that followed the election and change was undoubtedly in the air. We journalists were lapping up the greater access we had to new leaders who were buzzing with excitement from their big win. Some of us complained in jest about the ministers’ daily news conferences, reminiscing about easier, slower work days. Others seized the chance to ask questions they never received responses to before. Across different mediums, there were unfiltered analyses and rapid updates, catering for what felt like an unquenchable thirst for information on the part of the public.

It was an unprecedented period, charged with an undercurrent of seemingly endless possibilities; a time when the media could fulfil its potential.

Over time, however, some of that sheen wore off. The minister who once enthusiastically answered media questions shuffled past us quickly. The MP who responded to all texts left us “blue-ticked” on WhatsApp. Some of those in power began publicly chiding members of the press for their reporting.

Were the “old” ways returning? Had things truly changed?

The general consensus among journalists I have spoken to is, yes, there have been changes. But there could be more, especially in this time of transition.

Between the corruption scandals and Pakatan Harapan’s rollout (or not) of their election pledges, public demand for accountability and transparency is at an all-time high. The pressure is on to shape the national discourse responsibly, especially for the young, critical voters who make up a fair chunk of our electorate.

So, what is being done right and what can be done better?

For the most part, journalists value the increased access to top leaders, whether it is at news conferences or in the multiple ministerial WhatsApp groups that now exist. Power dynamics are also shifting somewhat in support of the press.

At a recent news conference with the prime minister, for example, journalists vocally shut down the organiser’s attempt to limit questions to a certain topic.

As encouraging as that may be, however, these changes rely on individual attitudes. In that sense, this new era is no different from the last. Back then, just like now, open, communicative ministers existed alongside tight-lipped ones — and both periods share laws that can be used against the media at any time.

This has to change. Undeniably, we journalists have our own parts to play in our evolution: to ask the right questions, to be critical of statements, to report responsibly without self-censorship. But we need an environment that encourages us to do this in the first place. Problems we are often critiqued for are a legacy of a system that allowed, and continues to allow, the government to decide our fates.

To that end, we must see the abolition of laws such as the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 that give any government of the day power to unfairly censor, suspend or shut down media organisations. Plans for a self-regulating Media Council are in the works but it will be futile without the repeal of legislation that can be abused to further political interests. To do this, there must be bipartisan support to avoid a repeat of what happened to the Ant-Fake News Act, where a repeal was backed in the lower house, only to be blocked by the opposition in the Senate – but now passed.

New policies should be rolled out to support our growth too. A Freedom of Information Act, for instance, will allow us to investigate stories beyond the data “provided” to us by those in power.

In that same vein, authorities and regulatory bodies must give the media space to critique and ask questions of them as well – rank and file, local or foreign media notwithstanding.

As for the public, they perhaps play the most important role: driving the news agenda. Consumers should support and share the content they want to see more of and, crucially, be willing to pay for it. Newsrooms are struggling to be independent and financially viable the world over, and Malaysia’s are no exception.

All this being said, there is already much to be proud of in Malaysian journalism — whether it is critical financial reporting by The Edge, interactive features by Malaysiakini or a podcast of Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s trial by The Malaysian Insight, to name but a few examples.

With sustained support and freedoms, however, this pushing back of boundaries can continue unfettered, allowing us to fulfil the ideal of being watchdogs, no matter who is in power.

l Sumisha is a Malaysian journalist who has worked for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, KiniTV and channel NewsAsia