Wednesday, May 28, 2008

WALK WITH OUR MALAYSIAN MEDIA, PLEASE.

Last May, our lawyers marched from the Palace of Justice to the PM's department in Putra Jaya. Flagging off the march, the Bar Council President remarked that "when Lawyers march, there must be something wrong."

On June 1 2008 (this Sunday) at 9.00am the Malaysian Media will assemble under the National Flag at Dataran Merdeka and after a short ceremony, they will take a similarly short stroll to the National Press Club for a talk by Datuk Zaid Ibrahim.

I heard that the Mainstream Media's bigwigs will take this significant stroll too. That would be the most welcome gesture in support of their associates.


The program for the morning is as follows…

9 – 9:45am Walkers arrive individually at the National Flag at Dataran Merdeka, show their respect, and then proceed immediately to the National Press Club. Please DO NOT gather anywhere at the Dataran. If there are any blockades, simply avoid those and find another route to the NPC. No confrontation and no heroics please.
10:00 am Welcoming address by the organisers
10:15 am Keynote address by Datuk Zaid Ibrahim
10:45am Sharing by participants followed by Q&A
11:30am Reading of the 1st June Statement
11:40am Re-reading of the 3rd May Memorandum
11:50am Launch of the signature campaign endorsing the 3rd May Memorandum
12:00 noon Participants take the Pledge Resolution on Media Freedom


when our journalists walk
they will be wearing
their hearts on their sleeves.



15 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am a journalist who has served the public interest, and sometimes the interest of my political masters by force of circumstances, for 3 years.

I know my duties and the constraints of my environment.

I won't walk with you because I don't need a bunch of holier-than-thou bloggers, who are nothing better than arm-chair activists, telling me what to do.

zorro said...

A journalist: No I did not ask you to walk with this bunch of holier-than-thou bloggers....we just ask you to walk with your brothers and sisters who want to see what they see and write on, end in print to serve the public interest. The constraints of your environment is man-made and engineered. If you are subservient to this then your vocation to this profession is questionable. Yours is not a job, it is a professional vocation. It is not mechanical...it needs soul. It is far more noble than my previous profession - teaching. However, follow your heart. Good tidings to you.

Ted Torrence said...

Happy walking ... God bless.

flyer168 said...

Dear Zorro,

There are several types of Professionals - some professionals enjoy their vocation with passion, acknowledging the truth with sincerety without fear or favour nor the money/status.

Some would rather serve "the interest of their political masters by force of circumstances, duties and the constraints of their environment", etc.

Zorro, you said it loud & clear "The choice is theirs for the March."

May God's blessing be with you !

Anonymous said...

A Journalist,

The Walk on Sunday, June 1 is initiated by BENAR for Free and Fair media.

The Blogs are helping to disseminate information about this Walk.

BENAR understands the environment that people like you have to work under. We are not against you or your colleagues. The media in Malaysia is not free and has not been fair. People want something better in our media and I do not think you will disagree with that.

Thus BENAR initiated this attempt to bring representatives from the government, journalists, citizens and bloggers together for the first time and we can only hope that this will be a small step towards reaching a common ground that all parties desire.

I hope you will change your mind and encourage your colleagues as well.

Thank you.

Unknown said...

Bro Zorro,

Sadly I am unable to join you on Sunday. My niece is tying the knot in Penang on that day.

All the best and happy walking!

hotrakyat said...

Seems to me the elitist Usual Bloggers Walk is in itself the objective aka health and exercise pipe-chomping and social networking-gathering proceeding inevitably thenforth to the Gala Comradeship Drinking hole nearby a mug's throw away ! ...and really nothing to do with this and that.

This ceremonial form over substance thing is getting quite predictable and tiresome right my dear Zorro ? Ever heard of the Co that had one meeting too many , becoz the Boss was bored ? what nex ?

Anonymous said...

Haris, diffeent question: Ezam said he is againt multiculturalism and that's why he has joined AMNO. How do you see that? He said Malaysia is an Islamic State but other races should be respected. Wow...never knew that. I want you to shed light on this. While we are moving to Bangsa Malaysia...the boy is going to racists saying he is against all Malaysians uniting under one party. Shed light on this Bangsa malayia.

zorro said...

HOT...can you smell any DOG IN THE MANGER, stuff?

Aya, dont have to have functions to have drinks...come anytime to NPC and I will drown you with beers and good cheer. And hottie, you see a lot in many things....a fertile imagination, they say. Anyway, come and let me convert you....no I never will try to straighten you....grown stems are not that pliable after a spell. Drinks still on me chum....if you feel like you need the company of good men.

zorro said...

Anon3:40...yes I saw the mis-placement but let it thru.No harm really.

Anonymous said...

Zorro (now the elitist blogger)
How this came abot I really don't know! he he...but this Sunday s not about bloggers! Its about Free Media!
The National Union of Journalist and the National Press Club are fully behind their members for this walk....so Mr A Journalist. Not sure which desk you are from, even Sprts Journalist with a conscience is supporting this!
(Which BTW one editor has declined to publish a whistle blowing story on bribery....which gives him more of a reason to support this walk.
At the end of the day, suppport or not is your prerogative, but lets just stop at that shall we?
As for hot, we dont need a reason to gather and walk and then cool off.....we really don't.

Wattahack? said...

A Journalist said...
I am a journalist who has served the public interest, and sometimes the interest of my political masters by force of circumstances, for 3 years.

I know my duties and the constraints of my environment.

I won't walk with you because I don't need a bunch of holier-than-thou bloggers, who are nothing better than arm-chair activists, telling me what to do.


HAHAHAHAHA... A JOURNALIST THAT CAN'T READ PROPERLY! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA... its organised by media ppl for media ppl lar not for bloggers... we nothing better to do so go walk with media ppl cannot meh?

Anonymous said...

Hmmmm. Sunday morning.

Meet at the Totem Pole, walk past the Wild West SC Drinking Hole, walk past the church, walk past the People's Bank, then meet at the Canteena to hear the Sheriff talk and then to ask for Media Freedom.

Glory be! What a morning. I'll try to be sober.

MakLijah said...

Dear kind kind Zorro, I'll see you there!!!

To Journalist-"I won't walk with you because I don't need a bunch of holier-than-thou bloggers, who are nothing better than arm-chair activists, telling me what to do."

Dude,
At least you got paid for:
"serving the public interest, and sometimes the interests of your political masters -by force of circumstances."

By 'force of circumstances' or not, you got paid to do it man. I don't. Same goes for many other bloggers out there... and you say bloggers are armchair activists.

We must be the most special category of armchair activists who are so willing to get off our cellulite-dimpled asses to walk the talk.

Oh well...

zorro said...

Adoi, KL Confidential is back to kick some cellulite-dimpled butts. Welcome back girl, sure missed you for a spell. See you tomorrow.