Media freedom or freedom of the press is something journalists in Malaysia have been grappling with for many decades. For many years, draconian laws have been used to clamp down on journalists and the media. Many have also been arrested. 

While there is no denying that the media has more freedom post-2018 elections and that journalists don’t get arrested as much today as they once did, little has changed in terms of legislation and structure. Draconian laws still exist and can be weaponised. 

Now, advocates for freedom of the press have been pushing for a media council. But what exactly is it, how would it work and what good could come out of it?

We speak to Wathshlah Naidu, Executive Director of the Centre For Independent Journalism (CIJ).



Image credit: Shutterstock

Media freedom or freedom of the press is something journalists in Malaysia have been grappling with for many decades. For many years, draconian laws have been used to clamp down on journalists and the media. Many have also been arrested.&nbsp;While there is no denying that the media has more freedom post-2018 elections and that journalists don’t get arrested as much today as they once did, little has changed in terms of legislation and structure. Draconian laws still exist and can be weaponised.&nbsp;Now, advocates for freedom of the press have been pushing for a media council. But what exactly is it, how would it work and what good could come out of it?We speak to Wathshlah Naidu, Executive Director of the Centre For Independent Journalism (CIJ).Image credit: Shutterstock

As they say, democracy doesn't begin and end at the ballot box. 
On Beyond the Ballot Box, we have in-depth conversations about political economy and human rights in Malaysia, Southeast Asia, and around the globe through a class prism.

As they say, democracy doesn't begin and end at the ballot box. On Beyond the Ballot Box, we have in-depth conversations about political economy and human rights in Malaysia, Southeast Asia, and around the globe through a class prism.

Beyond the Ballot Box

As they say, democracy doesn't begin and end at the ballot box. On Beyond the Ballot Box, we speak to politicians and analysts and explore burning issues and questions surrounding our fluid and ever-changing political scene.

As they say, democracy doesn't begin and end at the ballot box. On Beyond the Ballot Box, we speak to politicians and analysts and explore burning issues and questions surrounding our fluid and ever-changing political scene.

Why We Need a Media Council

When many of us think of AI, we think of ChatGPT or self-driving cars. But with each passing day, AI is also used more and more in warfare. While proponents of the usage of AI in armed conflict cite operational efficiency, precision, and speed, the reality is often much different. It raises pressing ethical and legal questions including abuse and a lack of accountability. For example, AI has been used to speed up the Israel’s genocide of the Palestinian people in Gaza. We discuss this with Nour Naim, who’s a researcher in AI Ethics and the Executive Director of AI Minds Academy.



Image credit: Shutterstock

When many of us think of AI, we think of ChatGPT or self-driving cars. But with each passing day, AI is also used more and more in warfare. While proponents of the usage of AI in armed conflict cite operational efficiency, precision, and speed, the reality is often much different. It raises pressing ethical and legal questions including abuse and a lack of accountability. For example, AI has been used to speed up the Israel’s genocide of the Palestinian people in Gaza. We discuss this with Nour Naim, who’s a researcher in AI Ethics and the Executive Director of AI Minds Academy.Image credit: Shutterstock

How Israel Uses AI Technology in Genocide

Everything Must Fall is a 2018 documentary film by Rehad Desai, centered on South Africa's #FeesMustFall movement. The film provides a gripping account of the student-led protests that erupted across South African universities in 2015, demanding free, decolonized education and an end to systemic inequalities within higher education institutions.
In this episode, we speak to Rehad Desai about his film and the student-led movement in South Africa. 

Everything Must Fall is one of the documentaries that will be screened at the upcoming film festival called Witness the Unseen, happening at the Kuala Lumpur Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall on the 9th - 12th January 2025. 
For more information, contact Barathi (+60 16-377 9713) or Valter at (+60 11-6357 9375). 



Image credits: MUBI, Rehad Desai (via The Left Berlin)

Everything Must Fall is a 2018 documentary film by Rehad Desai, centered on South Africa's #FeesMustFall movement. The film provides a gripping account of the student-led protests that erupted across South African universities in 2015, demanding free, decolonized education and an end to systemic inequalities within higher education institutions. In this episode, we speak to Rehad Desai about his film and the student-led movement in South Africa.&nbsp;Everything Must Fall is one of the documentaries that will be screened at the upcoming film festival called Witness the Unseen, happening at the Kuala Lumpur Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall on the 9th - 12th January 2025.&nbsp; For more information, contact Barathi (+60 16-377 9713) or Valter at (+60 11-6357 9375).&nbsp;Image credits: MUBI, Rehad Desai (via The Left Berlin)

How Did Students in South Africa Fight For Free Education?

We live in an increasingly polarised world. Ethnonationalism and other forms of right wing and ultra-conservative populist movements are on the rise in Malaysia and across the world. People are pushing further away from each other. Prejudice fuels political discourse. Why is this happening and what can we do about it?

Dr Tee Chen Giap and Chew Zhun Yee, co-founders of the Malaysian Philosophy Society, join the show to talk about the issue of polarisation as well as the upcoming International Think Big Summit 2024, happening on the 15th of December, where these questions will be addressed.



Image credit: Shutterstock

We live in an increasingly polarised world. Ethnonationalism and other forms of right wing and ultra-conservative populist movements are on the rise in Malaysia and across the world. People are pushing further away from each other. Prejudice fuels political discourse. Why is this happening and what can we do about it?Dr Tee Chen Giap and Chew Zhun Yee, co-founders of the Malaysian Philosophy Society, join the show to talk about the issue of polarisation as well as the upcoming <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.myphilsoc.com/itbs-2024/">International Think Big Summit 2024</a>, happening on the 15th of December, where these questions will be addressed.Image credit: Shutterstock

Why We Need a Media Council

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