More media guidelines? NO< YOU DON'T NEED THEM!

JUST IMLEMENT THE PRESENT LAW AND REGULATIONS CONSISTENTLY WITHOUT ANY BIAS TOWARDS ANY POLTICAL PARTIES.

No double standards, even triple standards, ONE for Utusan Malaysia and its UMNO ilks, one for The Star and MCA-linked papers, and yet another for what is deemed Oppositionleanig media, both old and new.

In fact, Desi proposes that it's time for the federal Government to repeal the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984; also introduce a Freedom of Information Act that is now being enacted by the Selangor State government. Yes, BIG brother of 53 years can learn from junior of two years old.

The Malaysian Mirror reports:



Home Ministry: Media editors to get new guidelines
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Wednesday, 15 September 2010 19:49

lee-che-leong-newspaperPETALING JAYA – The Home Ministry will be drafting new guidelines to ensure that editors understand and are better informed of their roles and responsibilities.

This will be a more comprehensive and up-to-date set of publication guidelines for the media, said Deputy Home Minister Lee Chee Leong in a statement here Wednesday.

He said there would be a clearer definition of the rules and regulations of the publishing permit and the provisions under the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984.

"Such changes will ensure that editors perform their roles better and issues that can affect the country's stability can be overcome at an early stage," he said.

According to him, the guidelines came about following the recent tendency among newspapers to sensationalise news reports, and feature stories and readers' letters that touched on sensitive issues, without considering the effects and consequences to public security and peace.

"The approach by some editors who made racial and religious issues as the basis of their debates and disputes has created unrest and worries among the rakyat.

"If such a situation continues, it will only disturb racial and religious disharmony in the country and affect public security," he said.

He said the attitude of some editors, who were insensitive to the people's reaction towards their publications, especially those that had caused social, religious and racial tension, was most regrettable.

"Editors need to realise that they must return to responsible journalism to ensure the national agenda's success, and play their role in maintaining stability and harmony in the country.

"Even when the Government aims to be open-minded, the freedom given all this while is not appreciated but has caused worries instead among majority of the rakyat," he said.

Lee said the ministry had called up these editors by stages and it would evaluate the insensitive and irresponsible publications.

"With the new guidelines, I hope the ministry can prevent cases involving editors who purposely create tension and worries among people in this multiracial, multi-religion and multi-cultural society," he said.