Dr Denison Jayasooria : YSS Executive Director

Sixty-five media people participated at the YSS & Vanakkam Malaysia (VM) media workshop from September 13-14, 2003 at De Village Resort at Ayer Keroh, Malacca. This was the first time that Indian members of the print and electronic media came together with information officers and special officers of the Information Department. This gathering provided them with an opportunity to interact and network but most of all to share common ideas and strategies in addressing social ills and problems in the community.

There are a significant number of Indians in all the major News papers such as the New Straits Times and Star, also the TV such as RTM, TV3, NTV7 and Astro. Members of the media from all the sections came to the Malacca workshop including those from the vernacular Tamil media both Tamil Nesan and Nunban, Radio 6 Tamil radio station.

I found it a stimulating time of interaction and listening to views, comments and questions raised by the participants. Media people were very vocal in their comments and views. The weekend programme began with introductions and an opportunity for each to share about themselves and their work. This was followed with an introduction to YSS and its policy and social development programme. There was also a brief presentation on the VM and its vision.

The evening session on the first day saw participants breaking up into six discussion groups. They spent the evening discussing on four matters. Firstly, they were identifying the critical issue confronting the community, secondly, analysed the root causes, thirdly, the role the media can play in addressing the critical issues and finally, the expected role of YSS and VM.

It was a stimulating time of returning to the basics and an attempt in understanding the root issues and concerns. A majority of the groups identified education as a key issue as well as the way out of poverty. Low educational achievement becomes the breeding ground for anti-social behavior. This aspect is also inter-related to their ability to then secure jobs as many have low self esteem. The feeling of inferiority further complicates the concerns and many from low income families have mindset problems. Alcohol and family related issues and concerns are at the heart of this crisis.

Only one group made reference to colonial past and history as the real crisis due to the colonial practice of ‘divide and rule’ the communities has impacts to this day. The caste system and the continuous adherence to it still has a crippling effect on the community. Another of the discussion groups ascribed the problems to the system of politics and governance.

The first day ended in a pessimistic mood and many overwhelmed with the negative aspects and our inability to break free from the clutches of negative thought. However day 2 began not with problems but with the potential and success of the community. These positive images restored a level of confidence in the future and challenged the participants to live consistent lives. Day 2 began with an address by Datuk G. Palanivel, calling on the media to build positive images on the Indian community.

The other guest speaker on day two was Dato P.Kasi, the 16th richest Malaysian. He gave a great presentation on our civilization and developments within which he described the potential of the Malaysian Indian community. One main thrust of his presentation was on changing perception from pessimistic to positive, from negative to positive. In this context members of the media can play a key role as change agents.

Dato P.Kasi encouraged the media and made a verbal commitment in offering an annual award for journalism. This innovation award is for the best journalist in creative news creation. This is a very positive development.

On the whole a majority of the participants were very happy with the workshop and agreed to develop a strong network among them to play a key role through the media in ensuring that low-income families can rise up the socio-economic level.

(Submitted on 21st September 2003)