DISCUSS THE ROLE OF MEDIA AND INFORMATION AGENCIES IN PROMOTING NATIONAL INTERGRATION AND UNITY IN A MULTIETHNIC SOCIETY AS IN MALAYSIA

INTRODUCTION In this century, many people talked about media or about the press instead since the press is the main medium or means of mass communication. Actually both media and press was one and the same thing. In the nineteenth century, the methods by which information could be passed on to large audience change dramatically with the starting development of photography, then, followed by radio and television. The first newspaper published in Malaya was the English language Government Gazette, later called the Prince of Wales Island Gazette (PWIG) on 1 March 1806 . The first Chinese language newspapers, The Chinese Monthly Magazine, started its publication in August 1815, and it was produced not for local population but for audiences in China. Only by 1876, the first Malay newspaper, Jawi Peranakan, was published in Singapore. The first Tamil newspaper, Singai Warthamani was started a year earlier. During the Japanese rule, the press was designated as the main tool of Propaganda Department of the Japanese Military. After the Japanese surrendered, Malay newspapers such as the Utusan Melayu, which was highly influential among the Malay, particularly rural Malays, took on a more aggressive role in raising Malay consciousness pertaining to the hotly debated issue of Malayan Union. However, Utusan Melayu was involved in a takeover by UMNO in 1961. The newspaper worker called for editorial independence that was in line with the newspapers original philosophy of fighting for the race, religion and homeland, while UMNO insisted that the daily should consciously give full support to UMNO. The 93-day strike was finally over with UMNO gaining control over Utusan Melayu. Press freedom in Malaysia has close links to the political climate in Malaysia. Press freedom is usually tightened by the ruling coalition when there are threats to the power of the ruling coalition. In the aftermath of May 13, press freedom in Malaysia was further restricted. Regulations were amended and ownership structure was changed in the early 1970s. The government then felt that the locals should control the local media industry; hence the purchase of major stocks in Straits Times Press (STP) Group in 1972 by government-owned PERNAS, which was later transferred to UMNO investment company called Fleet Holdings. By 1984, the transfer was completed and STP was changed to NSTP. The MCA also began to acquire various media interests starting with their purchase of 67.35 per cent of Star Publications (M) Sdn Bhd in 1979. The tightening of legislations governing the media in Malaysia usually follows as a result of the need for the ruling coalition to exercise greater control over the media. It was observed that traditionally, the threats of communism and communalism provided justification for these laws. However, the rationale for retaining and applying these laws has been widened and, in some cases, made vague enough to leave a catch-all effect. CONTROL ON MALAYSIAN MEDIA The Printing Presses and Publications Act. The Constitution provides for freedom of speech and freedom of the press; however, some important legal limitations exist, and in 1

practice, the Government restricted freedom of expression, and journalists practiced selfcensorship. According to the Government, restrictions on this freedom were imposed to protect national security, public order, and friendly relations with other countries. The Constitution provides that freedom of speech may be restricted by legislation "in the interest of security (or) public order." For example, the Sedition Act prohibits public comment on issues defined as sensitive, such as racial and religious matters. In practice, the Sedition Act, Official Secrets Act (OSA), criminal defamation laws, and some other laws were used to restrict or to intimidate dissenting political or public speech. The English and Malay press provided generally uncritical coverage of government officials and policies and usually gave only limited and selective coverage to political views of the opposition or political rivals. Editorial opinion almost always reflected government positions on domestic and international issues. However, during the year the mainstream press printed interviews with senior opposition leaders that included criticism of government policy. Observers believed this was an indication that the administration of Prime Minister Abdullah had relaxed some press restrictions. Print journalism was dominated by eight daily newspapers-two each in English and Malay and four in Chinese. One of the parties in the ruling coalition owned or controlled a majority of shares in each of the English and Malay dailies, and two of the Chinese dailies. Politically well-connected tycoons owned the other two Chinese language newspapers. Selfcensorship and biased reporting in the print media were not uniform and the English-, Malay-, and Chinese-language press sometimes provided balanced reporting on sensitive issues. The Printing Presses and Publications Act (PPPA) limits press freedom. Under the act, domestic and foreign publications must apply annually to the Government for a permit. The act was amended to make the publication of "malicious news" a punishable offense, to expand the Government's power to ban or restrict publications, and to prohibit court challenges to suspension or revocation of publication permits. According to the Government, this amendment was made to ensure that "distorted news" was not disseminated to the public. Government power over annual license renewal and other policies created an atmosphere that inhibited independent or investigative journalism and resulted in extensive self-censorship. For example, in 2002, the Deputy Home Affairs Minister told Parliament that, from the beginning of 2001 until October 2002, 1,345 publications and printing premises were inspected and 2,305 volumes of publications were confiscated under the act. Government officials continued to argue that the act helped to preserve harmony and to promote peaceful coexistence in a multiracial country. The Government sometimes directly restricted the dissemination of information that it deemed embarrassing or prejudicial to national interests. For example, the Government continued its policy of not allowing public disclosure of air pollution index readings or deaths due to dengue fever. The official news agency, BERNAMA, conveyed an instruction to all media, reportedly from the Prime Minister's Department, not to report anything related to the outbreak of bird flu, but the Prime Minister's Department denied that the instruction had come from it, and the Deputy Minister of Information told reporters that although BERNAMA had the responsibility to report and express government policy, it did not have the right to instruct other media on how to treat the news.

Publications of opposition parties, social action groups, unions, and other private groups actively covered opposition parties and frequently printed views critical of government policies. However, the Government retained significant influence over these publications by requiring the annual renewal of publishing permits and limiting circulation only to organization members. In the past, the PAS newspaper, Harakah, was the target of several ruling party-sponsored libel suits. Harakah was the only major Malay- or English language print media forum for opposition views, and its circulation rivaled that of mainstream newspapers. Since 2000, under government stricture, Harakah has been limited to publishing only twice monthly instead of twice a week. The Broadcasting Act, 1988 continues to play a crucial role in the underdevelopment of Malaysian broadcasting. The Act as it stands is both stringent and inflexible, and bestows enormous powers on the government to determine the type of television made available to the Malaysian public. The introduction of the Act in 1988 was clearly in anticipation of the further commercialization of broadcasting, especially television. Indeed, in the midst of the supposed 'deregulation' of broadcasting, the Broadcasting Act now gives the Minister of Information virtually total powers to determine who will and who will not broadcast and the nature of the broadcast material. Under the Act, any potential broadcaster would need to apply for a license from the minister beforehand. On paper, this translates into the fact that one individual has the power to decide. Further, Part III, Section 10, Subsection (1) of the Act (emphasis added), states that 'It shall be the duty of the licensee to ensure that the broadcasting matter by him complies with the direction given, from time to time, by the Minister. Most major newspapers have online editions, which generally fall outside government regulations, as they are not required to have publication permits. Now, there is some independent Internet news provider available in Internet and some of it owned by the opposition groups such as Malaysiakini which reported published a letter on the website that allegedly contained seditious remarks. In response of it, police raided the daily's offices, confiscating 15 computers and 4 servers, and shutting down the company's online service for over 10 hours. While the Government continued to deny Malaysiakini formal press accreditation, its reporters were allowed to cover government functions and ministers' press conferences. Printers, who also must have their permits renewed annually, often were reluctant to print publications that were critical of the Government. In 2003, the Government interfered with the timely release and distribution of several foreign magazines, including the Far Eastern Economic Review and The Economist. Government officials, including then Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, continued to accuse the foreign media of harboring ill intentions toward the country and of deliberately misrepresenting the country's political and economic environment by focusing on negative news. In 2003, the then-Deputy Home Minister said the Government would consider a ban against any foreign magazine that made unfounded allegations against the country and its leaders. The electronic media was restricted more tightly than the print media. Radio and television stations almost uniformly were supportive of the Government's news coverage and commentary. News of the opposition was restricted tightly and reported in a biased fashion. For example, in the period before the elections, opposition representatives said they were unable to have their views heard and represented on the country's television and radio stations. 3

The Government censored books and films for profanity, nudity, sex, violence, and certain political and religious content. Television stations censored programming in line with government guidelines. Some foreign newspapers and magazines were banned, and, infrequently, foreign magazines or newspapers were censored, most often for sexual content. However, the increased prevalence of the Internet vitiated such restrictions. The Government maintained a "blacklist" of local and foreign performers, politicians, and religious leaders who were not allowed to appear on television or radio broadcasts. The Government continued to try to block the production, distribution, and sales of unauthorized video compact discs (VCDs) and digital video discs (DVDs), especially those with pornographic or sensitive political content. The Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) requires certain Internet and other network service providers to obtain a license. In the past, the Government stated that it did not intend to impose controls on Internet use, but noted that it would punish the "misuse" of information technology under the CMA. During the year, the Government did not use licensing provisions under the CMA to interfere with Internet access or to restrict Internet content. The Government generally restricted remarks or publications that might incite racial or religious disharmony; it also attempted to restrict the content of sermons at mosques in the states controlled by the ruling coalition. Some state governments banned certain Muslim clergymen from delivering sermons. The Religious Affairs Department continued to conduct background checks on all clergymen. The Government also cracked down on the distribution and sale of the opposition party's VCDs and audiocassettes. ROLE ON PROMOTING NATIONAL INTERGRATION Media is an instrument that contributes in ensuring that prosperity among races in Malaysia withheld. Several examples can be described on the role of media in Malaysia that had developed the prosperity among multiethnic society in Malaysia as follows: In 1940s and 1950s, newspapers were the most important communications assets that distribute informations on ambition and inspiration of the society towards nation building. For example, Utusan Melayu and Utusan Zaman were the important publication that effectively inculcates the spirit of nationalism among the people. This was done purposely to give some hopes to the people that the country will get its independence. The role of media at that time only focusing on the process of country independence and there was no role at all on promoting integration among the society. However, most of the people were already integrated because of the nationalism spirit that made them together fighting for independence from the British. Reporter. Important message by the government normally will be highlighted in the best possible manner on the front and important inside pages of the mainstream press, and on the prime time slots of the electronic media. For example in Malaysia, when the first emergency occur in 1948, the media had assist the government by reporting on what actually happen on that time and this reports had reduce tension among the ethnics. The media also reveal the cause of the tension that actually was from the Malaya Communist Party and not from the Chinese. Advertiser 4

In order to attract and educate the public, the government had mounted an aggressive advertising campaign of not only promoting a subjective image of the programme (Example, National Service), but also to built confidence on parents during the campaign period. For instance, major newspapers like the NST and The Star carried full-page advertisements that appealed to the Malaysian readers, and hence parents, to cooperate by sending their children for this programme. Advertisements were another media mode or technique that served to reinforce the positive images and messages of the government that were already found in the regular columns of the newspapers. In an age when advertisements have aggressively become part and parcel of Malaysian life, the slogans, catchy phrases and eye catching pictures of these advertisements - as in any other forms of advertisement work towards reminding Malaysians of the need to adhere the government messages of stability and prosperity of the nation. Analyzer and Commentator. Print media analyses, essentially functioned as a. thin camouflage for the government propaganda. Experts analyses and commentaries on the editorial page of mainstream newspapers normally had an inherent bias towards the government. Opinion pieces in the mainstream press usually were an editorial mechanism for boundless promotion of the government. In marked contrast, a few marginal tabloids made some attempt to provide balanced discussions and analyses for instance, the Watan and Harakah. Investigator The Malaysian electronic media displayed a commitment to 'investigative journalism' when it came to interview the public. TV3 journalists and camera crew will aired only those who support the government actions or plans. In other words, the broadcast media, in this case TV3, displayed a penchant for selective 'investigative journalism'. This kind of 'selective journalism' indeed serves to mask or even 'naturalize' social problems and contradictions faced by the government, thereby projecting an image of a united and supportive decision that were made by the government. For example, in 2001 an incident happened at Kg. Medan, Selangor, involving conflict or tension between two ethnics. The media, especially from a Television company or specifically the TV 3 had interviewed the public in that area about the incident. This action were done by TV 3, was purposely to assist the government to reduce the tensioned and in the same time to contain the incident from spreading to other areas. By showing the positive feedback from the interviewer, it will reduce the tension and also built confidence to the public that this incident was an isolated issue. Promoter. Television commentaries and talk shows were bent on promoting the government image by, for instance, inviting respectable analysts and government observers' to give their supposedly impartial views of the programme. This televisual and ideological pattern was evident in TV3's 'Malaysia Hari Ini' programme, 'RTM Selamat Pagi Malaysia and RTM's Wawancara (Interview). Here the television stations concerned pretended to play the role of neutral, even disinterested, hosts to a group of invited and well-informed guest speakers. Again, as a shrewd way of pretending to observe journalistic impartiality and balance, RTM, for instance, screened - as it always does in normal times - the highlights of the day's mainstream newspapers (i.e. RTM's 'Keratan Akhbar'), which in essence corresponded to in the intention of government preferences and simultaneously the on its. And all this conveniently conducted without RTM having to make much or any editorial comment, or reveal its purposes. 5

The commentaries and talk shows served to give the impression that the viewers were given their democratic right to televised debates and discussions of certain matters that were balanced and impassioned. What was not explicitly said is that these discussions and debates already had their terms of reference. In short, the act of steering such discussions and debates in which oppositional and alternative views were displaced or de emphasised was masked. Image projector Film lets that showed images of happy (and contented), trouble-free and carefree Malaysians, be they toddlers, children, mothers, loving couples and grandmas, and the film let promoting 'Visit Malaysia Year with picture of multiethnic people as the background. Informer To explain in depth and with the widest possible coverage the policies and the programmed of the government in order to ensure maximum understanding by the public. Criticizer. Media must be fair to everybody even though some of media were owned by the government. As a democracy country, the media are freely to report anything as long it abides the act. The media must have the ability to critics whatever had done wrong or mishandling on certain matters. This was done in order to reveal the wrong doing of an organisation or a person that are responsibility on public concern. When the media criticized on certain matters, they will do it with a correct approach. For example, the TV3 had critics on so many things, either on government agencies or private organisation. The approach that use by TV3 is more on creating a harmony environment whereby the TV3 exposed the failure of government agencies on assisting the public regardless races different. By this, it shows that the media were very transparent and had no discrimination. Further than that, TV3 always assigned multiethnic speaker on different problem arise from public. Example if the problem came from the Malay majority, sometimes TV3 assigned on Indian speaker/commentator to report it. This method actually had successfully prospered the community and also builds the confidence of mutual understanding among races without prejudice. Other than that, it will instil inside the society minds that there was no discrimination or different at all between races in the country. Media as a Source to inspired. The development of media instruments had increase the method or dimension on disseminating information to the society. Most of Malaysian society prefers newspaper or news in TV to gain information. As a result, the media actually an effective tools to influence mind set of the people. Currently, there are many articles and also a short clip video in TV and newspaper about the important of integration among the society. Sometimes there are also a patriotic programmes or article that can also inspired the society. With the information available to all, it also can educated and impart some knowledge to the society to be more developed, and this will increase the society income and reduce dissatisfaction in terms of economy distribution among ethnics. Propaganda. There are many ways that the media can play its role in the country, but to be more effective is by working together with the government. This cooperation will definitely will make the government objective achieve successfully. Sometimes the media role are far

from their main objective, this is because the needs to adhere with the government policy practically to ensure the development and the stability of security in the country. Currently most of the media role more on making profits other than as a tools of government propaganda. The media are keen on news or information that more towards entertainment or advertising element. To make more profits, the media will increase their production volume in other to attract more viewers without concerning their main responsibility as a media. Most of developed country especially those that had been colonised before, will ensure that all broadcasting body that consider as a truly mass medium will be under the control of the government. The reason for this control is to make sure that the government can utilize it for their interest. Most leaders in the world clearly acknowledges the important of controlling the media for the benefits of government. In the contexts of Malaysia perspective under the former Prime Minister that is Mahathir Mohamad, the media industry were controlled strictly for the purpose of ensuring the multiethnic stability and to maintain the government hegemon on the media industry. CONCLUSION In conclusion, the messages and images of the government conveyed by the mainstream press and broadcast media through their news reports, analyses and commentaries, advertisements, documentaries, and film lets were not only aimed at enhancing the public standing or reputation of the government, but also, more importantly, assisting the government in developing the consent and consensus of the majority of the people. As far as democracy in Malaysia is concerned, the government conscious effort to utilise and, in many cases, monopolise the mainstream media necessarily implies that freedom of the press and of expression were, and still are, mainly confined to and enjoyed by the politically and economically powerful in the society, thereby subsequently marginalising fringe economic groups and other minorities. Such access to the media is certainly unfair, unequal and undemocratic. This in egalitarianism is no surprise for it only reflects the situation of the larger society where, as implied earlier, political and economic power is unevenly distributed. Nonetheless, as intimated earlier, the marginal and to certain extent, alternative media have potential in providing some space for social change in society. The strategy to respond to the challenges of our multicultural society is by the use of security measures to ensure healthy relations among the various communities. Every society requires the use of security measures to ensure orderly functioning. Multicultural societies that are vulnerable to ethnic and religious stresses are in special need of them. There are societies that take a relatively relaxed and rather permissive approach towards conflict management and prevention. They can tolerate the odd racial riot without considering it necessary to take effective preventive measures. A few hundred deaths are taken in stride, without undue cause for alarm or the introduction of long-term measures to avoid similar occurrences. This country has been too vulnerable to ethnic conflict, large as well as small, in the past. The racial riots of May 13, 1969 were especially traumatic. Therefore have zero tolerance for ethnic and religious extremism that threatens the peace and the welfare of the citizens. It considers ethnic and religious excesses particularly 7

dangerous, for they have a tendency to evoke powerful passions that are difficult to rein in once they take hold. The political, economic and social damage they cause can be prohibitive. With that, by having in place tough laws and some of them are preventive in nature. Whilst public would prefer not to have them. The laws have been legislated through due democratic and legal process. Contrary to what some critics believe, Malaysian laws and the restraints have impose on fundamental freedoms are entirely consistent with recognized universal human rights standards. The right is fully permissible under the international bill of rights. Restraints on rights are applied sparingly and responsibly, and they are only exercised when there are credible instances of threats to public order, public morality and national security. Malaysia are driven by a strong political will to preserve national unity. The media is well placed to make a positive contribution to the process of bringing people closer together. The media has assumed the role of acting as the worlds eyes and ears, allowing people to have almost direct and instant access to events that happen thousands of miles away. Embedded reporting and round the clock coverage etches images indelibly into our consciousness, shaping perceptions and forming opinions. Clearly, the modern media machine has an enormous reach and an unparalleled ability to influence hearts and minds. It was believed that this reach and influence can be used productively, by fairly and comprehensively telling the truth. This reach and influence, can build understanding and develop empathy. Conversely, looking at others through ones own tinted lenses, without an appreciation of background or context, will only serve to increase the distance between peoples and accentuate cracks within communities.