(SEAPA/IFEX) – A coalition of media advocates and civil society groups is protesting a government move ordering a popular Chinese-language radio call-in program to revamp its format and content after it aired listeners’ views that were deemed inappropriate. On 24 June 2006, Malaysia’s Ministry of Information ordered the program, “The Mic Is On, With Love, […]
(SEAPA/IFEX) – A coalition of media advocates and civil society groups is protesting a government move ordering a popular Chinese-language radio call-in program to revamp its format and content after it aired listeners’ views that were deemed inappropriate.
On 24 June 2006, Malaysia’s Ministry of Information ordered the program, “The Mic Is On, With Love, Without Obstacles”, to be re-organised, a move tantamount to taking the program off the air, after it broadcast critical views on a policy relating to education in Selangor.
In a joint petition made public on 5 July, the coalition called on the government to explain to the public its decision on the popular program and to take concrete actions to fulfill its promise to promote transparency and protect media independence and free expression. The approximately 30 groups comprising the coalition urged the government to restore the program “to provide a channel for citizens to freely and fearlessly discuss matters that concern them”.
The independent online newspaper “Malaysiakini.com” reported on 10 July that the Ministry order came a day after the program aired critical views on the Selangor Education Department’s policy of merging classes in Chinese primary schools to address the chronic shortage of qualified teachers.
The order forced the program to stop its call-in portion on 26 June. On 3 July, its main host, Wan Piao Ming, was replaced, reports said. The program content has since been extensively softened, and it is covering less controversial issues such as marital relationships, drug problems and entrepreneurship.
“Malaysiakini.com” states that the station authorities insisted the decision was made to improve the program’s ratings, but media advocacy and civil society groups believe the move was an excuse to axe the program once and for all.
Since its launch on 4 April 2005, the program has gained a loyal following because it provides the public with a platform to discuss issues freely and boldly. Among the issues tackled by the program have been the switch to the use of English instead of Chinese as the language of instruction in certain subjects in primary schools, the rift between the past prime ministers and the present prime minister, and anti-price hike demonstrations.
According to “Malaysiakini.com”, there have been several complaints directed to the station by politicians within the ruling coalition parties, who have asked that the station make some adjustments. The 24 June program, which examined the merging of classes in Chinese-language schools, was reportedly seen as “the last straw”.
