The Dark Shadow Shrine

embrace the darkness; that you may see the light nestled within it......

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Media Freedom?

Article 1:
Note the example of how the sectarian strife in Myanmar recently where the Buddhists torched and killed the minority Muslims can be attributed to the socially irresponsible media which abused the freedom accorded it....'political and commercial' reasons are cited for the irresponsible reporting that stoked racial hatred in the name of religion and nationalism; the latter identifies itself with the religion of the majority....

Article 2:
The new decree by the Vietnamese govt is to prevent exactly the kind of social instability that has plagued Myanmar, but also to prevent circulation of anti-govt views that will erode the people's trust in the govt. Another important point thrown up to justify restriction over the media is the protection of intellectual property rights.
Note the parallel law Singapore recently introduced to regulate the cyber landscape here. Websites that have more than 50,000 views per month have to apply for a licence with the MDA and comply with certain restrictions, which include the taking down of certain posts which the MDA finds inappropriate and objectionable.

Sample Qn:
1. Should any limits be placed upon media freedom? (NYJC Prelim 2012)
2. The media needs more control, not more freedom. Do you agree? (AJC Prelim 2012)

Article 1


Article 2