Walk proceeds, but not 'as planned' - Malaysiakini.tv

The walk from Dataran Merdeka to the National Press Club as a feature of The Walk for Press Freedom event this morning did take place, but instead of happening before Zaid Ibrahim's dialogue, it happened at the end of the minister's meeting with media -- mainstream, online and blogs all represented.

According to the organisers, the purpose of the walk was to send home the message on the need for press freedom, journalism ethics and accountability.

Zaid in his dialogue with the media pointed out that it was unfair to lay blame entirely on the government for the sorry state of press freedom in the country.

He argued that media practitioners should share part of the blame.

"You must ask yourself first - do you take up an unpopular issue with your newsowner?" asked Zaid in the dialogue, which was hosted by the NPC.

It was interesting to note that only Wong Chun Wai of The Star and Steven Gan of Malaysiakini were the only two notable journalists present. Editorial heads of the other mainstream papers chose to stay away, and Zaid was quick to notice their absence.