AUDIO COMMENTARY: In defence of theCICAK’s editorial policies
By POH SI TENG
Director and Managing Editor
Transcript For The Audio Commentary
A few weeks ago, theCICAK editors posted a controversial piece on the site. The title of the article was “Gay Play Can’t Have It Their Way,� by contributor Marc Jitab.
We received a total of 79 comments on that piece.
A few weeks later, one of our contributors, Andrew Loh, e-mailed me. It was regarding the flak that we had been receiving from Marc’s piece.
Andrew asked me, “Do you have any regrets?�
My answer to Andrew was no.
It was really important that we published his commentary. After all, we did publish Ana A.’s “What It Means To Be A Gay Malaysian.�
I feel theCICAK editors would be too leftist and liberal if we did not allow an article to counter Ana’s commentary. We have to allow free speech to take place.
Marc’s piece was a learning process for everyone. There is a need to balance the other side. The Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics says, “Support the open exchange of views, even views (we) find repugnant.â€?
We should all constantly reanalyse our principles, whether or not it holds true after being challenged. It is stimulating and good food for thought.
An environment that encourages free speech helps make us better writers and thinkers. theCICAK editors made the right decision when we published Marc’s piece.
However, we acknowledge that we made a mistake when we did not publish Fullshred’s comment. Not all of our editors are Christians and are familiar with the Bible, therefore did not know that Fullshred had quoted the Bible word for word. I have reposted the comment on the site.
CLICK HERE to read Fullshred’s comment.
The team believes in hearing what our readers have to say, which is why we have a comments section. The comments on Marc’s article prove that we do value their opinion. We encourage our readers to challenge our contributors.
However, name-calling and vulgar words are not allowed. There are better, and more intelligent ways to make a point without resorting to cuss words. Uncontrolled and unmoderated comments can make the site trashy.
As editors we are faced with this problem – How do we moderate the site? How do we go about it? When should we stop? Where do we draw the line?
theCICAK is still growing. The team is still learning. No one is working on this project full time, some of us have two to three jobs in addition to school. This is why we can’t come out with solid guidelines right now.
But give us time. We are working on it.
In order to have solid guidelines, theCICAK team and the readers have to be critical on the site. We really appreciate the comments that people have posted on theCICAK. It will help us grow.
We started theCICAK because we believe in free speech and expression. No one is getting paid to do this. We are using whatever free time we have to work on this project.
As editors we still have a lot to learn. Some of us have never had any editorial experience, and are still learning the ropes. So help us.
Help us form our foundation. Grow with us.
Free speech should help people understand where others are coming from – especially when it hurts most.
I hope that in the long run, it will teach our readers that too.
—
POH SI TENG is the director and managing editor for theCICAK. Visit her site.
OMAR VEGA is the photo editor for theCICAK.
Special thanks to Kristofer Noceda.
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