Section 1 :The Principles of Ethical Publishing in the Aspect of Visuals and Situational Context.

The article entitled ‘Berita Harian issues public apology over tsunami cartoon’ contends about the recent issue that has been the talk of Malaysian society. The cartoonist of Berita Harian has illustrated an offensive cartoon in rememberance of the Japan Tsunami. The cartoon had distastefully depict a famous Japanese cartoon character ‘Ultraman’ running cowardly from a tsunami that is approaching it. This depiction of the occurrence did not get well reception from the public as it is offensive (Mei,2011).

In my opinion, the drawings that had been done are indeed offensive and is an embarrassment to our country. What is more surprising is the fact that illustrations that is offensive to other culture could be approved to be distributed by on of the prominent news organization, it shows how ignorant they are. Moreover, it does not correspond to the ethical way of how journalists should apply their work. According to eyeonethics.org Malaysian journalists have a set of rules that they have to abide in journalism and it parallels with its national principles ‘Rukun Negara’ and one of them is that a journalist should believe in the standards of the social morality ( eyeonethics.org, n.d). Moreover, its is also mentioned that a Malaysian journalist must use proper materials in news which includes pictures and when producing a material in news one should not include something that is immoderate and excessive in nature (eyeonethics.org, n.d).



Imagery plays an important role in depicting a situation and it helps people to stimulate their thoughts regarding an issue. Immediacy revolves around images as they immediately captures the attention of people hence evoking a sort of emotion from it (Hansen , 2011). Clearly, the illustrator of the cartoon has provoked Malaysians and also people from other countries. Although free expression is entitled to journalists it should always be handled with responsibility. The news media should show sensitivity in regards of things that may hurt people’s feelings , sometimes the freedom of expression recalls for the acknowledgement of the damage that it could incur to the society’s peace ( The Economist, 2006)

Reference:

1. Canons of Journalism ( Malaysia) , Eye On Ethics, viewed 1 June 2011, http://www.eyeonethics.org/journalist-code-of-ethics-in-asia/canons-of-journalism-malaysia/

2. Hansen, L 2011, ‘Reading the world's mind: Political, socioeconomic and cultural approaches to understanding worldwide Internet search queries’ The International Communication Gazette , vol. 73, no. 3, pp. 233-251.

3. Limits to Free Speech Cartoon Wars 2006, The Economist, viewed 2 June 2011,

   The economist http://www.economist.com/node/5494602?story_id=5494602