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		Never Before Is It More Necessary To Defend Freedom Of The Press Statement by Dr Tan Seng Giaw, DAP National Vice-Chairman and MP for Kepong on the World Press Freedom Day. 4 April 2000
		May 3 is World Press Freedom Day. In the last years, 1668 journalists have been reported as killed on duty. In 1999, 71 journalists were killed and 80 incarcerated; this year so far six died in action and many more will be detained, charged in court or killed. Never before is it more necessary to defend freedom of the press. By freedom, we do not mean the freedom to commit murder or harm the society in any way including spreading untruths. In the Malaysian plural society, a truly professional journalist would see the urgency to preserve and promote tolerance and mutual respect among all colours, races, and religions. In Malaysian courts, the astronomical figures of compensation in libel cases against journalists is of great concern to the people. It is a travesty. We have many draconian laws. We believe that the Printing Press and Publications Act, 1984, should be repealed. It strangulates freedom of the press. In the new millennium, it is clear that journalists have to be more well read and truly professional and they should				be paid as professionals. They have to adapt themselves to the cyber world and globalisation. Uncensored news and information are freely available in Internet and other non-printing media. No one can stop this. What is powerful for good is also powerful for evil. Internet can be misused and abused. Here, education to prevent misuse and abuse is even more important. If the Government continues to constrain journalists in one way or another, print media may die a natural death. Eventually, it will be caught in its own trap. Journalists may have to go for non-print media that are relatively untouched by the Government. Malaysian press in all languages are in a quandary. Self-censorship is evident. I do not mean self-censorship to protect the tolerance and mutual respect among Malaysians. It appears to safeguard the ruling elite. It is hoped that the celebration of the first World Press Freedom Day in the 21st Century will be followed by more investigative reportings, more truths and more balanced views in Malaysian press. Dr Tan Seng Giaw



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