‘Journalists are prostitutes’ remark uncalled for but …
Posted on February 18, 2012, Saturday
PROSTITUTION may be the world’s oldest profession but there are many in other professions who have been accused of having joined the ranks of prostitutes.
‘Prostitute’ is perhaps one of the most common derogatory words used by writers to insult or demean others. Not to be taken literally, we now have ‘political prostitutes’ as the favourite term used by politicians to hit out at each other.
Then this week, we have a politician who insulted journalists by suggesting that some members of the media are prostitutes.
DAP’s Hew Kuan Yew, an academician and regular fixture in the Mandarin anti-BN ceramah circuit, was recently forced to apologise for his Facebook posting, in which he referred to journalists as ‘Enjo-kosai’, a Japanese term for ‘compensated dating’.
Hew’s Facebook posting had used the term to describe journalists who moonlighted as writers for politicians.
Not surprisingly, the journalistic fraternity jumped up. The National Union of Journalists demanded an immediate retraction and apology. Wisely, the DAP man quickly did so.
Of course, we know that journalism is a respected profession and many journalists are held in high regard in society. They are also known as the powerful ‘Fourth Estate’. President Richard Nixon, the most powerful man in the world at one point, was brought down to earth by two investigative reporters.
Ironically, journalists and politicians share many similarities. For example, just about anybody can be a journalist or politician. You don’t need a degree in journalism studies or political science to enter the profession. Doctors, lawyers and others need paper qualifications to practise in their respective fields. But no paper is required to qualify as a journalist or a politician.
The dictionary simply defines journalist as a person who practises the occupation or profession of journalism. Likewise, a politician is one who depends on politics for a living.
As for ‘prostitute’, we are only too familiar with its original meaning — a person who engages in sexual intercourse for money.
However, there is another definition which does not come to mind for those less well versed with the English language.
A prostitute is also a person who willingly uses his or her talent or ability in an unworthy way, usually for money.
So when we describe the wayward politicians as ‘political prostitutes’, we do not refer to the sex part but more on involvement in bribery and corruption.
If Hew Kuan Yew’s retort that some journalists are prostitutes is taken in that aspect, then he is not altogether incorrect. Those in the journalistic fraternity must be able to accept that there are also wayward colleagues among them just as there are in other professions, no matter how noble their work may be.
In this respect, I would defend what was said by the DAP man although it seems rather uncalled for if the term ‘prostitute’ is taken literally.
Having been attached to the media industry for as long as I can remember, there were times when I could not stomach some of the unsavoury activities of my colleagues. No, we do not live in a perfect world and it is true that some journalists do go out of their way to please powerful politicians. And political big shots know it does pay to be close to journalists and editors. It is true that many editors have benefited personally from this collaboration.
Whenever I came face-to-face with such a situation, it was time to think and act rationally. Who am I to disagree if some of my colleagues believe in the political ideologies of their bosses or masters whom I do not agree with?
Even if I know that they were wrong and unethical, they would say they were right. And who am I to force others to stand by my beliefs and ideologies?
In Malaysia, almost anyone who writes for a publication can claim to be a journalist. There will be more claiming to be members of the media with the advent of online news portals. Even some bloggers, who write occasionally for media organisations, can claim to be journalists. So it is too with part-time writers such as columnists or commentators.
Perhaps it is time for those practising journalism full-time and are dependent on the profession for a living to set up a Society of Professional Journalists such as the one in the United States.
This is the society’s preamble.
Members of the Society of Professional Journalists believe that public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy. The duty of the journalist is to further those ends by seeking truth and providing a fair and comprehensive account of events and issues. Conscientious journalists from all media and specialities strive to serve the public with thoroughness and honesty. Professional integrity is the cornerstone of a journalist’s credibility.
Journalists should be honest, fair and courageous in gathering, reporting and interpreting information. The society also has a list of a code of ethics.
We have the National Union of Journalists in Malaysia. Basically, it’s for non-executive and non-management staff and is an effective body in striking deals with the management in the interest of its members.
But we need more than just a union in order to draw the line on who are truly the practising journalists in this country. Journalists have to be more professional in their terms of reference and work and should be duly recognised as such.
Malaysian journalists should set up a society of professional journalists comprising of full-time journalists. Once a journalist retires or leaves the profession, his membership automatically expires.
I challenge journalists in Sarawak to take up this proposal. Social clubs for journalists and the media are plentiful but there is an urgent need for a more dignified and respected organisation for practising journalists.
It will also better define who the real journalists are and who are not. And do follow the society’s code of ethics diligently.
Journalists must do their best to protect their personal image and that of the profession. Hopefully, in time to come, we will no longer hear more remarks such as ‘journalists are prostitutes’.
Comments can reach the writer via columnists@theborneopost.com.
