The Good, The Bad & The Media

No news is good news. That's what people used to say. But what about too much news? Lately, there has been too much news, especially on the current political tug-of-war. It’s not surprising in our present political scenario. Maybe it’s a culture shock among the players. Never mind about that, that’s the political game. In fact, that’s what politic is all about, maybe. I’m not a politician in anyway and I don’t intend to write about it any further. Let’s best leave it to the politician who knows better.

But what’s bothering me is the media and the way they filled up their daily news updates. I am a regular viewer of our TV news, from as early as the TV3's Buletin Pagi at 7 am, NTV7's Edisi 7 at 7 pm and later the TV3's Buletin Utama at 8 pm, sometimes jumping channels with the other providers, not to miss anything. Other times, I have to drag on to the midnight updates when I missed the prime time.

But nowadays, news on TV is not bringing news. News is supposed to be educating, informative and entertaining as well. News is about something happening in the North, East, West & South. That's why they called it NEWS. But since the political ‘tsunami’ that hit the last general election, news had not play their role to bring real news that contributes towards harmony and stability, especially for a multi-racial Malaysia. There's nothing wrong being pro-government but without a peaceful and stable society, there will be nothing at all.

Whenever something happens, news should report on the who, what, where, when, why and how they happen That’s what people want to know. Judgment is our personal rights. More often now, news is chasing here and there for comments from individuals and put it into the news, putting the issue on public trial. And so are the ‘peaceful’ demonstrations. The more the news chase after them, the more interesting it will be to them and more ‘peaceful’ demonstration will be organized. It's like putting fuel onto fire. Our leaders often say, demonstration is not the Malaysian way of expressing our feelings, be it peaceful or not. But it's on the news every now and then.

We must realize that TV news is the most influencing media to the public. It doesn’t matter whether the viewer is illiterate, young or old. The picture speaks a thousand words. And that thousand words is dangerous cos all the thousand words may go into the wrong interpretation. Harmony and stability is at stake. Hatred may see its way into the hearts of peace-loving Malaysians. Harmony and stability should be at our utmost concerned.

Chasing for public opinion and comment is nothing wrong but what to and what not to put on the news is most important. Putting just any public comment, raw into the news may sound unpleasant to others. If somebody did something earlier, it’s not necessary that it must be hit back and put to court in the media. We are smart Malaysian of sound mind. Of course, nobody likes to be hit in the head and not hitting back. People say that’s coward. But when harmony and stability is at stake, revenge is not the best answer. Our court of law is well sufficient to take care of these ‘crimes’, so leave it to the authority.

It's okay that we have the good and the bad, but not the UGLY. God Bless Malaysia.