The unsung Mandela of press freedom from goodreads
HAVE you ever heard of a workers’ strike or similar labour action for press freedom? And how long do you think it lasted? A day? A week? A month? And where and when do you think this happened?
Workers strike for press freedom
Six decades ago, in 1961, Said Zahari, the editor of the Malay language daily,
Utusan Melayu, led a strike of journalists and other employees.
The protracted strike, in both Malaysia and Singapore today, was for press freedom rather than employee welfare.
Against all odds, the strike lasted over a hundred days! It also marked the end of the ‘honeymoon’ for the post-colonial government after independence.
3 May is World Press Freedom Day. This is part of a series of IPS features and opinion editorials focused on media freedom globally.
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, May 2 2021 (IPS) - Have you ever heard of a workers’ strike or similar labour action for press freedom? And how long do you think it lasted? A day? A week? A month? And where and when do you think this happened?
Workers strike for press freedom
Six decades ago, in 1961, Said Zahari, the editor of the Malay language daily,
Utusan Melayu, led a strike of journalists and other employees. The protracted strike, in both Malaysia and Singapore today, was for press freedom rather than employee welfare.