Reality in the eye of the reporter

TODAY Tuesday is World Press Freedom Day.

I detect no reaction – but let us PRESS on.

Local journalism as a profession and journalists in vocation accept their lot to toil away in deferential obedience, some say acquiescence. They operate under the full glare of scrutiny as a byline is no shield of anonymity. Like a red rag to a bull, there can be no hiding when a news piece attracts public opprobrium and raises universal ire.

So every now and then a newsman or two does pop up above the parapet when called to account; more often than not when a news report raises the hackles of authority.

Some withdraw and ply their penmanship promoting more palatable politics.

But there are those in the profession who make it through a lifetime of Malaysian journalism unscathed – living to tell the tale. Telling the tale some do, by venting their spleen writing a book!

The ongoing 38th Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair is one such gathering of journalists who have taken this route and some literary efforts from the Fourth Estate are more relevant than others. Once such book launched on Sunday draws open a little the curtain of privileged existence of the media.

THE STORIES BEHIND THE NEWS

Entitled SEBENARNYA; a collection of stories and anecdotes compiled and written by journalist Charles Mohan. I take the liberty to translate Sebenarnya to In Reality based on the narrative of the publicity blurb accompanying the launch.

With the benefit of service and action in television news, Charles has compiled the 17 years of his efforts, beginning as a newsroom rookie before rising through the ranks. All this in the employ of NTV7 which began way back in 1998 before being acquired by Media Prima in 2005.

Leafing through its handily-sized A3 soft-cover; his nearly two-decades of journalistic endeavour was recounted in each of the easy-on-the-eye 268-pages.

What immediately caught the eye was his first focus – that of the late Nik Aziz Nik Mat who passed away in February 2015. The man when he was alive was Kelantan Menteri Besar as well as PAS Spiritual Leader. From Page 1 to Page 53; Charles' recollection and observation covering the man is clearly effusive.

To his colleagues, Charles' lavish praise for the ascetic demeanour and simple tastes of the man when he was the Supreme leader of this nation's sole Muslim party seemed out of place.

INCORRUPTIBILITY,PROBITY, HONESTY, SIMPLICITY

Having launched a disclaimer that he is a practicing Christian, Charles emphasises the point that the values of piety, honesty, thrift, simplicity and moral probity was universal.

Even when attending church, Charles would share with clergy stories of Nik Aziz and he was slightly taken aback, but not totally surprised; that they all concurred with him.

His observation brought back memories of AWANI's own effort at carrying LIVE the funeral ceremony of Nik Aziz. The Editorial committee had no qualms standing down other programmes on that day and focussed attention on the burial in Kota Bahru.

Charles makes the point that despite restrictions from officialdom, there were those among his editors and peers within whom journalistic ideals were their guiding light.

To them, he announces gratitude, naming individuals who instilled in him the meaning of balance, fairness and honesty in reporting the news.

GO AWAY….WHY SHOULD I SPEAK TO YOU TODAY?

Rather than spew venom or display outright contempt for some notable politicians, Charles recalls incidences where their true colours were exposed.

One well-known political fire-brand showed double-standards in the treatment of local media as opposed to foreign operatives..

When approached for an interview, the politician refused. In his defence; the politician did not appear to be in the best of health in the first place. But being persistent, Charles pushed his luck and badgered on. That did it – he man blew his top and shouted curtly for Charles to back off.

Than like some chameleon, a volte-face! He acknowledged the presence of the foreign media, and proceeded to entertain their questions when he was supposedly 'unwell'.

But Charles is not one to harbour any ill-will despite the humiliation – every newsman knows how the local media works; so this public humiliation from such ill-tempered treatment and the politician's reaction was then, and to this day is, wholly understandable.

THE NEWSMAKERS

Elsewhere in the book, Charles manages to jot the memory of local news watchers to landmark crime cases that gripped the nation.

The Norita murder case? Elie Youssef Najem and his profligate 'generosity'?

In the former, it was the salacious details that became some kind of soap opera with a dead young woman and several men whose reputation was dragged through mud.

In Elie's case, it was the sheer gall of the man who appeared to live in a Walter Mitty world all of his own imagination.

Of all his exploits as a journalist, Charles has a special place in his heart for Fiza. She used to help him out when he was in need. When Fiza's dad faced a brick wall against a government department's administrative stasis, Charles stepped in for a 'feel good' conclusion. You should head to Page 166 on the Chapter which reads; Tolong Pak Cik to see the power of the Fourth Estate to clear civil service logjam.

Charles and other journalists like him do not enter this profession thinking they can solve all the world’s ills and overcome its myriad grievances. But with wide access and license to break down walls a TV station mike flag seems to endow a television reporter, it does make the reader feel in the presence of Superman!.