Speak. Write. Read.
It was the World Press Freedom Day yesterday (3rd May) and it is "an opportunity for people around the world to celebrate the fundamental human right to freedom of expression, defend the media from attacks on their independence and honor the memory of journalists who have lost their lives because of the peaceful exercise of their right to speak and write freely" taken from this site where you can find more info this issue.
I'm the average Malaysian; not a writer or a political blogger, and certainly not a journalist. However, as a teenager, I've seen and felt what it's like to not be able to speak your mind or what should I call it...really truly express yourself.
From a young age, you're told that you're not supposed to say this or do that because a) It will get you in trouble, b) Your ass or your palm will meet the rotan (cane) and c) You don't know what you're talking about so shut up.
For instance between 1998 / 1999 the Anwar vs Mahathir battle started and in school, anyone professing support for the former got called to the principals office to get a stern telling off. Outside in the real world, people were getting hauled off to be imprisoned under the ISA and publications were either getting shut down or their agendas became eerily pro-government, no matter the situation or how ridiculous they sounded.
This is when you learned how to read between the lines. Or better still look for other resources. It's a blessing that now the media, particularly the print media (still controlled nonetheless) are quietly opening up, we do see here and there opinions that are contrary to the government's agenda.And even then, on the mainstream media they are few and far between.
Despite that, every so often we hear of a case or two of a writer or a journalist or a blogger being jailed or arrested for their writings. Never mind that not everyone in the country or abroad has read it. Never mind that people, generally form their own opinions based on a number of different factors and their beliefs. But because the writer speaks about something that the establishment feels that they shouldn't - off to detention (without trial) they go.
I mean, if those stuff written are LIES LIES LIES why can't these people in power with all their resources just sue the writer for libel? They'll probably win even. Why the need to arrest? Because the writers are right, that's why.
On the other hand, I do think that total freedom of expression and speech could be dangerous because given to the hands of the irresponsible and insensitive, they can be damaging. I mean, we are still human, we have feelings and reactions to things. And you don't want to hear about people ending their life because they can't stand hearing or reading about stuff anymore.
So I was wondering, what is the responsible way to express our opinions? Nothing is ever clearly black or white, but for me, exposing the truths and supported by facts about corrupt government officials is waaaaay better than writing about someone you hate and saying they look like a constipated donkey on coke. It's still free speech, but senseless and baseless. But what's happening in real life is the complete opposite. So some dude in drag can comment about how a person dresses and be really bitchy about it, fine. But don't you dare comment about that Mongolian conspiracy! Freedom of speech and the press applies only to trivial matters it seems.
This is why us living in this so called developing nation Malaysia should thank the world wide web. Without it, it's like living in the Asian Orwellian world of 1984, with censored satellite TV and squinting our eyes to read between the damn lines.
One day if I have kids, I want them to grow in a world of the enlightened, to not be afraid or hesitant to speak their mind and express the unique individuals they are in whichever way - music, fashion, politics etcetera etcetera. If you could remember, once upon a time when you were a child, you could say whatever and get away with it and some adults might even think of you as clever, but go to school, grow up, get a job and once real life hit you hard in the face - that's when self-censorship begins.
If only we could go back to being young, innocent, curious and totally live without deadly consequences of the words we put forth.
I'm the average Malaysian; not a writer or a political blogger, and certainly not a journalist. However, as a teenager, I've seen and felt what it's like to not be able to speak your mind or what should I call it...really truly express yourself.
From a young age, you're told that you're not supposed to say this or do that because a) It will get you in trouble, b) Your ass or your palm will meet the rotan (cane) and c) You don't know what you're talking about so shut up.
For instance between 1998 / 1999 the Anwar vs Mahathir battle started and in school, anyone professing support for the former got called to the principals office to get a stern telling off. Outside in the real world, people were getting hauled off to be imprisoned under the ISA and publications were either getting shut down or their agendas became eerily pro-government, no matter the situation or how ridiculous they sounded.
This is when you learned how to read between the lines. Or better still look for other resources. It's a blessing that now the media, particularly the print media (still controlled nonetheless) are quietly opening up, we do see here and there opinions that are contrary to the government's agenda.And even then, on the mainstream media they are few and far between.
Despite that, every so often we hear of a case or two of a writer or a journalist or a blogger being jailed or arrested for their writings. Never mind that not everyone in the country or abroad has read it. Never mind that people, generally form their own opinions based on a number of different factors and their beliefs. But because the writer speaks about something that the establishment feels that they shouldn't - off to detention (without trial) they go.
I mean, if those stuff written are LIES LIES LIES why can't these people in power with all their resources just sue the writer for libel? They'll probably win even. Why the need to arrest? Because the writers are right, that's why.
On the other hand, I do think that total freedom of expression and speech could be dangerous because given to the hands of the irresponsible and insensitive, they can be damaging. I mean, we are still human, we have feelings and reactions to things. And you don't want to hear about people ending their life because they can't stand hearing or reading about stuff anymore.
So I was wondering, what is the responsible way to express our opinions? Nothing is ever clearly black or white, but for me, exposing the truths and supported by facts about corrupt government officials is waaaaay better than writing about someone you hate and saying they look like a constipated donkey on coke. It's still free speech, but senseless and baseless. But what's happening in real life is the complete opposite. So some dude in drag can comment about how a person dresses and be really bitchy about it, fine. But don't you dare comment about that Mongolian conspiracy! Freedom of speech and the press applies only to trivial matters it seems.
This is why us living in this so called developing nation Malaysia should thank the world wide web. Without it, it's like living in the Asian Orwellian world of 1984, with censored satellite TV and squinting our eyes to read between the damn lines.
One day if I have kids, I want them to grow in a world of the enlightened, to not be afraid or hesitant to speak their mind and express the unique individuals they are in whichever way - music, fashion, politics etcetera etcetera. If you could remember, once upon a time when you were a child, you could say whatever and get away with it and some adults might even think of you as clever, but go to school, grow up, get a job and once real life hit you hard in the face - that's when self-censorship begins.
If only we could go back to being young, innocent, curious and totally live without deadly consequences of the words we put forth.
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