M'sian press go black in protest
The editorial team of Sin Chew Daily stand united and show their solidarity
By Lim Wey Wen
Several Malaysian Chinese newspapers "went black" to mark World Press Freedom Day today as a protest against the violence shown towards pressmen during Bersih 3.0.
Sin Chew Daily, Nanyang Siang Pau, China Press, Guang Ming Daily and Oriental Daily printed their front pages in black and white to remind readers and authorities of the struggles pressmen face while carrying out their duties, especially during rallies.
Sin Chew Daily editor-in-chief Pook Ah Lek said the paper decided to do so because many pressmen, including photographers, had been beaten during the rally.
Pook, also Editors of Chinese Medium Malaysia Association president, said the Chinese Newspaper Photographers Association had also initiated a call for journalists and photographers to don black and wear a yellow ribbon today.
The Star editorial team are also decked in black to show their support
Nanyang Siang Pau editor-in-chief Chong Choong Nam hoped the authorities would be reminded that media personnel should be given protection by the police.
Separately, the Information, Communications and Culture Ministry has encouraged the screening of video recordings of Saturday's rally to give the public an overall picture of what had happened.
Its minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said the ministry had asked television stations like Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM), TV3 and others to look at the video recordings to show the rally participants' behaviour.
"There were participants who smashed police patrol car windscreens. They should watch this video, while there are also videos showing policemen acting inappropriately.
Published May 4 2012
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