Moving academic freedom forward
IF there is a moment to remember on the anniversary of a “change” following the last general election, it would be the upward surge in the World Press Freedom Index. This is something that we could not imagine before. The latest index compiled by Reporters Without Borders puts Malaysia at 123rd...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Sun Media Corporation Sdn Bhd
2019
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| Online Access: | http://irep.iium.edu.my/72313/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/72313/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/72313/1/72313_Moving%20academic%20freedom%20forward.pdf |
| Summary: | IF there is a moment to remember on the anniversary of a “change” following the last general election, it would be the upward surge in the World Press Freedom Index. This is something that we could not imagine before.
The latest index compiled by Reporters Without Borders puts Malaysia at 123rd position out of 180 countries (a jump of 22 places from 145) and in top spot in Asean. The closest being Indonesia, just one notch behind. It would have been great if Malaysia is on target to be a developed nation come 2020.
Still, it is a good start since the change is palpable, while admittedly there is ample room for improvement. We need to work harder if diversity of expression is to have an impact on nation-building in tandem with bigger space to be reclaimed.
This makes it easier to build a deeper understanding and robust relationships as citizens of the world, beginning at the home front through more open participatory processes.
And where else can this be better nurtured if not in schools and institutions of higher learning.
It has to be acknowledged that the latter has suffered most for more than 40 years.
That is, a whole new generation which as a result today remains largely muted as apparent over the last one year even when the “muzzles” were lifted as it were, following the change of government. |
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