On April 20, senior producer Joshua Wong Ngee Choong quit ntv7 after receiving complaints from the Prime Minister’s Department and allegedly the PM’s wife Rosmah Mansor over two recent Chinese talk show programmes focusing on current political developments. 

A week later (April 28), another television producer, RTM’s TV2 producer Chou Z Lam claimed political interference in his work after his documentary on the Bakun Dam was taken off the air allegedly due to Barisan Nasional concerns over its chances in the upcoming Sibu by-election. 

These two men stepped into the spotlight, risking their livelihoods and ready to face a jobless and uncertain future for themselves and their families and dependants, to show one and all just how strong the intimidation by the government can be. 

These men did it not for fame, glory nor money. They did it because they wanted to be the change that the media landscape needs to have. They wanted to see a free and independent media that is not ruled by the government or big advertisers and corporations.  

So what happens next?  

There will be a few follow-up stories in the alternative online media and probably some half-hearted attempts by the government to deny the whole issue. The mainstream media will either ignore it, play it down or highlight the government's stand/explanation on the matter. 

Will there be any MACC or police investigations into the matter? Nope.

Will Parliament debate on this? Nope.

Will Suhakam call for an enquiry? Nope.

Will the Bar Council ask for an explanation? Probably. But nothing much will come out of it. 

Will the National Union of Journalists or the National Press Club do anything about this? Nope.  

The next step is up to you 

The general public has been constantly saying that those in the mainstream media should speak out against intimidation and meddling by the powers that be. Many have screamed asking mainstream journalists to have some dignity and speak out. Not one, but two journalists have spoken – loud and clear. So now’s your chance to take the baton from these two men – who are risking their future and their lives for the sake of freedom of speech – and run with it. 

Here are some things that can be done:

   1. A one-day nationwide boycott of mainstream media – both electronic and print, in peninsula and in Sabah and Sarawak, all languages, etc. If the government does not budge, increase it to two days.
   2. Hold demonstrations outside TV2 and ntv7 buildings
   3. Offer these two men a job, then offer jobs to other journalists who are willing to step out and talk about the government’s control over the media.

 There are many more ways to drive home a point but the main issue is, how far will the Malaysian public go for the sake of media freedom?