BERSIH 2.0 – ONE PAPER DARES TO TELL THE TRUTH

by Eyes Wide Open

The Edge Daily published a surprising eyewitness report by its staff writer, Max Koh, who was covering the Bersih 2.0 march. In a blow-by-blow commentary, Max’s article traces his experiences during the historic 709 march.

Not a single one of the other MSMs, print, electronic or broadcast, dared to deviate from the “rioting masses of the illegal rally” script. In fact, the closer the media was to UMNO, the more demonisation of Bersih was apparent. Even the highly regarded “The Sun” did not do much independent reporting, instead choosing to publish ministers’ condemnation of Bersih 2.0 verbatim .

Max’s article entitled “A display of the people’s spirit” was published in The Edge Daily, and marked an absolute departure from the other MSM’s tired script.

Max with National Laureate A. Samad Said at Bersih 2.0

Max’s article corroborates the numerous other eyewitness reports, videos and social media updates freely available online. The main points being:

1. Massive crowds of thousands

2. Citizens walking peacefully

3. Malaysians united across race, religion, age, and gender

4. Police firing tear gas and water cannons unprovoked

5. Police firing tear gas and water cannons into Tung Shin Hospital

6. A feeling of hope and solidarity with fellow Malaysians

7. Booming business for shops that stayed open

Contrast with the official script that the BN government requires of the MSM:

1. Small crowd of 6 thousand

2. Opposition plot to overthrow the government

3. War generals and panglima silat ready to kill rioters, especially Malaysian Chinese

4. Police not even having any physical contact with protesters

5. Police NEVER firing tear gas and water cannons into Tung Shin Hospital

6. Malcontents rioting in the streets

7. Losses of RM100 mil caused by rioters

We at HartalMSM salute the courage of Max Koh who dares to tell it as it is, and of the editors of The Edge Daily who dared to publish the piece.

This is a small glimmer of hope in the Malaysian Media landscape. If other editors show the same courage, perhaps we could regain some semblance of media credibility in Malaysia again.