Is Malaysia serious about press freedom?

Is Malaysia serious about press freedom?
By Ong Hock Chuan in Jakarta
June 2, 2008

One view of the meeting between newly appointed Law Minister Zaid Ibrahim and bloggers/journalists is from Chun Wai below. Another is from Rocky.

The impression you get is that Zaid tries. He may be the only person trying in a dysfunctional government, and not very successful at implementing reforms, but he tries.

So what should the journalists and bloggers who are so vocal about demanding freedom of expression do in a situation like this? Be critical and cynical about the man? Or give him their support in the hopes that he is able to make more headway, even as he tries?

Are the majority of journalists and bloggers being constructive or being contented playing the role of aggressive critic and iconoclast?

clipped from chunwai08.blogspot.com Let’s push for reforms He did not have an easy time. In fact, he was heckled and subjected to some tough questioning on media freedom. But let’s not be too harsh on Datuk Zaid Ibrahim. Some of his statements did not go down well with the journos and bloggers as many expected him to play to the gallery. But he didn’t. Still, the fact that he accepted the invitation to turn up for the dialogue at the National Press Club speaks volume of this man, who has already been under attack by some of his Umno party members for his reformist ways.