KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim pledged that the country will not revert to the old ways of celebrating and elevating those in power while ridiculing those in the opposition.
Speaking at at the National Journalists’ Day (Hawana) 2023 finale ceremony at Casuarina Convention Centre in Ipoh today, the former opposition leader emphasised the importance of giving detractors the right to be heard in the press without fear of insult.
“This means that those who aren’t with us and those who oppose us have the right to voice out without fearing ridicule like what we went through before,” he said in a livestream of the forum.
“This is the political change we pursue based on values,” said Anwar, who spent nearly 25 years of his political career in the opposition previously, besides spending years in prison on what have been branded as politically motivated charges.
The Tambun MP, who became prime minister in November, spoke mainly about press freedom in his speech at Hawana 2023 today.
Pointing out that journalists should not be afraid to criticise the nation’s leadership, Anwar also expressed concern over attempts to stoke racial disunity and disrupt public order.
He said some quarters have made moves to influence youth with narrow ideas, particularly with regard to race and religion.
However, Anwar said that there is no need to wield the power of the law to curb this issue.
Instead, he suggested that the best weapon against such narratives is a counter-narrative of ideas generated by journalists to inspire good values and critical thinking.
“To my friends in journalism, never feel like there is censorship.
“Go beyond reporting, and generate ideas.
“If Malaysia is to remain a civil and democratic society, we must instil values, not narrow ideas that kill inspiration and divide society.”
The Hawana Media Forum 2023, themed The Future of Media, was jointly organised by Bernama and the Institute of Broadcasting and Information Tun Abdul Razak.
In addition to comments on the freedom of the press, Anwar also announced a starting allocation of RM1 million for Tabung Kasih Hawana. – The Vibes, May 28, 2023
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