It’s not a newspaper, but an Umno newsletter, says the popular cartoonist.
He called it an “Umno newsletter” masquerading as a newspaper.
Speaking during the launching of a Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) report, he said:
“I don’t see a problem with Pakatan Rakyat stopping Utusan from covering its events as it’s not a newspaper but an Umno newsletter, just like Suara Keadilan and Harakah represent their respective parties.
“Please don’t treat Utusan as a newspaper.”
He disagreed with the CIJ assessment that Pakatan Rakyat was showing signs of intolerance towards the media.
CIJ’s annual report for 2010 cited the Penang government’s ban on Utusan Malaysia and the New Straits Times and instances in which Pakatan barred BN-linked media organisations from its events. It also referred to the curious instance of the online newspaper Malaysiakini being barred from covering a Kedah state assembly sitting.
But the report was in the main critical of the BN government, saying it had continued to rely on an arsenal of laws to suppress press freedom and monopolise the dissemination of information.
It noted the intimidation last year of several newspapers, the banning of a book written by political commentator Kim Quek, and Zunar’s arrest and the confiscation of his book.
It warned Malaysians that things might get worse as the general election draws near and that even cyberspace is not beyond the reach of draconian laws.
“Government control of freedom of expression is here to stay,” says the report.
In her speech at the launching, CIJ executive officer Masjaliza Hamzah said: “They misuse certain laws against individuals to make examples of them, to say, ‘This is what happens if you don’t toe the line.’”
No comments:
Post a Comment