Mediating moderation

Opinion

In a world plagued by forces of political extremism, capitalist fanaticism and religious radicalism and their consequent conflicts, endeavours that promote moderation are obviously a welcoming relief and bulwark.

In this regard, the media, as one of the important institutions in society, can play a vital role in promoting better understanding, mutual respect, peace, social harmony and, last but not least, moderation in life.

Thus, Prime Minister Najib Razak’s recent call to the media to encourage moderation in society is a step in the right direction.

So what does moderation entail as far as the media are concerned? For one thing, the media should provide equal access to the various stakeholders in society so that the resultant reportage is fair and balanced.

Equal media access is vital, particularly for critics, dissidents, and those who do not possess political and/or economic clout in society, such as the poor, the downtrodden, the marginalised and minorities. This is apart from allocating space to the powers-that-be.

A voice via the media for the cultural and ethnic minorities, for example, is to help alert the powers-that-be of the importance of moderation and fairness when it comes to making policies that touch on culture, religion and education, among other important things.

Similarly, a media space for the poor and the downtrodden is to help remind the government of the need to exercise moderation so as to lessen, if not eradicate, crass capitalism and pro-business development policies that would cause a heavy burden on and marginalise the economically and politically weak. Such moderation is also crucial to prevent the emergence of an ugly and yawning cleavage between the rich and the poor.

Moreover, equal media access is also to ensure that the voice of reason and moderation does not get drowned out by that of extremism. Equally important, this is to allow for civilised discussion to take place via the media – as opposed to unruly mobs on the street threatening to bring about social disorder – that can also be instructive to the general public.

In a public discourse on the nation’s economic and cultural policies, for example, the Malay rights group Perkasa may make its stand known to the world. It is therefore incumbent upon a socially responsible newspaper to provide equal space to other countervailing views.

Additionally, the newspaper concerned should also adhere to the principle of right of reply where a person or a group that has been criticised or maligned must be given the opportunity to respond.

For instance, if an individual has been subjected to racist remarks or innuendos, he or she ought to be given sufficient space by the daily to react and defend himself or herself. To do otherwise is not only unjust but could also be construed as the newspaper trying to help fan the fire of ethnic hatred and suspicion.

In relation to this, a reader or a critic should be given equal space to respond to a commentary published by a newspaper which he/she doesn’t agree with or prefers to share an alternative viewpoint. Such a balanced editorial treatment would go a long way towards informing and educating the general public.

Needless to say, unequal access to the media invariably brings about distorted and unfair media representation and along with it dire consequences.

The sharp observation made by British communications scholar Stuart Hall over the notion of media representation more than 20 years ago still has resonance and is instructive till this day:

“Some things, people, events, relationships always get represented: always centre-stage, always in the position to define, to set the agenda, to establish the terms of the conversation. Some others sometimes get represented – but always at the margin, always responding to a question whose terms and conditions have been defined elsewhere: never ‘centred.’ Still others are always ‘represented’ only by their eloquent absence, their silences: or refracted through the glance or the gaze of others.”

But to do much of the above, the media must be independent of government interference and economic pressure and socially responsible at the same time so that if the situation demands, they can speak the truth to power.

In the Malaysian context, we’re talking of the restrictive laws that have a “domesticating effect” on the mainstream media as a whole, such as the Printing Presses and Publications Act, Official Secrets Act, Communications and Multimedia Act etc.

In other words, the media, in their attempt to buck, say, the tide of political extremism and racism, would need to have the political will to provide a platform for views that are critical of this dangerous phenomenon. This political will is very much needed especially if these extremist opinions are indeed held and expressed by certain sections of the ruling party, apart from other political parties and other groups in society.

Furthermore, one also has to address the problem of ownership and control of the mainstream media in the country because the room for manoeuvre for the editorial team of a newspaper, for example, may be confined and demarcated by the vested interests of its owners and friends in the ruling party.

Unless the above problems in the media and society are addressed seriously and conscientiously, moderation could become yet another empty slogan.

Dr Mustafa K. Anuar, an academic by profession, is intrigued by Homo sapiens, especially those who behave as if they’re Permanent Residents of Planet Earth and whose appetite for economic and political power is insatiable and, last but not least, others who rock ‘n’ roll.