Media/ Publishing Issues - third issue

3. Makkal Osai suspended

The newspaper is suspended because they put the image of Jesus holding a cigarette and a can of beer in the front page of newspaper. And in the photo, it has a caption written: ``If someone repents his mistakes, heaven awaits him``.

The ministry said Makkal Osai has contravened a permit under the subsection 6(1) of the Printing Press and Publication Act 1984. After the day of publication, Makkal Osai stated that it was mistakenly insert by graphic artist. However, many organisations were not agree to it. MIC sent police report to Makkal Osai. Then Prime Minister himself stated action must be taken to anybody who flaw the law even though Christian organisation had accepted the apology.

Again, offensive image can not be used in publication. This newspaper added the caption and it makes it worse. The newspaper did not respect Christianity because they put Jesus with a can of beer and cigarette.

The Printing Press and Publication Act 1984 (2006) stated that publication can not use offensive print. It is contravened the permit given by the Government.

Picture and words are related as it stated by Schriver (1997, p.399). People want pictures to explain words. And document designers need to choose the right image to convey the message.

In this case, Makkal Osai supposed to choose wisely the image to convey the message they want people to know. That picture and the caption are linked to each other but since it is offensive so it is prohibited because it flew the act and can make people angry even though Christian organisations had accepted the apology.


Reference List:

Law of Malaysia : Act 301 Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 2006, The Commissioner of Law Malaysia, viewed on 16th June 2009,
http://www.agc.gov.my/agc/Akta/Vol.%207/Act%20301.pdf


Makkal Osai suspended, 2007, theStar.com.my, viewed on 16th June 2009, http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/8/25/nation/18696017&sec=nation.


Schriver, KA 1997, Dynamic in Document Design: Creating Text for Readers, viewed on 16th June 2009,
http://catalogue.library.unisa.edu.au/vwebv/search?searchArg=schriver&searchCode=GKEY|*&limitTo=LOCA%3DElectronic+Resources&recCount=10&searchType=1&page.search.search.button=Search.