Hammer and Tongs
ALOKE THAKORE
One had no idea how quickly the distinction between media and journalism would be discovered as one picked up The Sun, a Malaysian newspaper, instead of Khaleej Times, which was the other newspaper on offer in the aircraft. The talk of media explosion so saturates conversations, especially among those associated with the business, that the distinction between media and journalism is either elided or goes unnoticed. This is even truer in the Middle East, where the franchise model of media publications offers a bewildering choice to both media buyers and the readers/viewers. You talk newspapers and what they talk are media.
An assistant editor of The Sun, Jacqueline Ann Surin, wrote about the freedom of the press in Malaysia in her column, Shape of a Pocket, and commented that there was no reason to exult over the fact that the Paris-based organization Reporters without Borders (RSF) had put Malaysia at the 92nd position instead of last year’s 113th on the Press Freedom Index. She questioned the methodology that may have been used by the organization and wrote, "The problem with the RSF ranking, however, is that its conclusions do not resonate with local media watchdog groups. And that is a severe indictment of how the RSF has severe blindspots when it comes to Malaysia." (Hold the partying, we’re nowhere freer, November 2, 2006). She alluded to congratulatory remarks of the present Prime Minister on the report who was countering the accusations of the former Prime Minister that dissent and disagreements were being crushed. She went on to say in rather simple language that the index of press freedom was not necessarily an issue of threats to life as much as other ways in which the freedom is stifled. "Press freedom in Malaysia," she wrote, "is effectively curbed through the use of legislation that gives the executive absolute powers to take action against dissenting voices."
A page later there was a piece by Kevin Tan, a scholar of Chinese history, headlined, "Why the Chinese cherish vernacular press freedom." Tan argues in the piece that press freedom is a value among large sections of the Chinese minority in Malaysia because of the Republican Chinese traditions and the inspiration of the May Fourth Movements remains with the descendants of the migrants to Malaysia. His argument is in the light of the political pressures that first led to the take over of a Chinese newspaper, Nanyang Siang Pau, by the investment arm of the Malaysian Chinese Association, which is a political party aligned to the ruling UMNO and later the selling of the paper to a Chinese media tycoon.
These pieces may have gone unnoticed had it not been for the contrast that they offered. Pieces even mildly of this vein would not be possible in the UAE. Not that there is a diktat or even a law that prohibits such thought. But there is an unwritten rule and a fear that pervades the press that dissenting voices against the rulers and the regime should not find mention. The decision whether to carry anything that might be construed as being critical is always one that involves creating scenarios and defenses. The presence of migrant labour in the newsrooms means that one does not have to only think of the implications for the owners, but also for the future of those who have families to support.
What results is a lot of media. But there is no journalism. May be that is being harsh. There is journalism, but in the leadings. Sometimes views inimical may find their way; some appear to be camouflaged. But when a substantive analysis is made there is precious little journalism.
This distinction between media and journalism is one that is necessary to make. It was James Carey, the cultural theorist of journalism, who suggested this difference and pointed out that there could not be journalism without democracy. There could be a lot of media. One can argue that even in democratic countries, there can be media and there can be journalism. Malaysia, almost a single-coalition democracy, allows for journalism. UAE does not. Come December, the first elections will be held in the UAE. How the newspapers cover it and to what extent the authorities choose to allow for unfettered coverage will determine whether there remains a semblance of journalism in the country, or whether there is only a plenitude of media--billboards, DJ mentions, inflatables, newspapers, and all.
Aloke Thakore is a media consultant, journalist, and teacher. He can be reached at hammerntongs@fastmail.in