Controversial topic

Dear readers,

Summary

Tamil-language newspaper in Malaysia, Makkal Osai, was suspended for one month soon after the picture of Jesus Christ holding a cigarette and a can of beer was published at the front cover. There was a caption quoting Christ, "If a person repents his mistakes, heaven awaits him". Makkal Osai apologized by claiming that the picture was accidentally inserted by a graphic artist. However, the picture has seriously offended many Christians. According to Prime Minister's Department Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili, action must be taken againt those who criticized other religion.


(http://www.indianmalaysian.com/)

Cultural perspective

It is indeed wrong to publish the picture of Jesus holding cigarette and a can of beer at the cover of the newspaper because it is just like violating the image of god in the public. Malaysia is a multi-racial and also multi-religious country. Different races will have different cultural perspective on certain topic especially sensitive issue such as religion. Therefore, the newspaper should consider the audience in Malaysia.

Ethics

Different culture and moral practices raise an important issue in ethics. Even in school, there are rules for students to follow. There are always guidelines for everything which is good. Newspaper can't just publish such controversial topic. Just imagine if The Star newspaper publish a picture of the Hindu God holding a cigarette, the same thing might happen. The Hindus will protest the way how Christians did. It is a good choice to shut down the paper so that other newspaper will be aware (The Star Online 2008). There are always a limit for freedom of press. It won't be good if sensitive issues about religon are published every where. It is unfair for all the races in Malaysia. Malaysian can seldom see religious topics in newspaper such as The Star or Buletin Utama because the journalism code of ethics stated that journalist should avoid publication of news that oppose the moral value of the multi races in Malaysia (Ang 1998).

References

Ang, P. H. 1998, Journalism Code of Ethics in Various Asian Countries (Online, accessed 8 June 2009).
URL: http://www.medialaw.com.sg/ethics/jcode.htm#malaysia

The Star Online 2007, Makkal Osai Suspended (Online, accessed 7 June 2009).
URL: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/8/25/nation/18696017&sec=nation

The Star Online 2008, Paper shut down for breaching guidelines (Online, accessed 7 June 2009).
URL: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/18/nation/20987996