Censorship in Malaysia
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Censorship in Malaysia is a growing concern for this south-east Asian Country as it attempts to adapt to a modern knowledge-based economy.[1] The press is tightly restricted and the level of public debate is considered low. Many critically acclaimed media works have been banned including Daredevil,[2] an episode of the American television show Friends[3] and the series Family Guy.[4]
Unlicensed use or possession of a printing press is illegal under the Printing Presses and Publications Act of 1984. Journalists are frequently given guidelines by the Prime Minister's Office when reporting 'sensitive' issues, and media self-censorship is encouraged.[5]
The Film Censorship Board of Malaysia is the Government agency responsible for granting licenses to the films for viewing.
In print in 2006 alone 56 publications were banned by the Internal Security Ministry, including the Indonesian translation of Charles Darwin’s Origin of Species.[6]
Deputy Science and Technology Minister Kong Cho Ha has announced that all Malaysian news blogs may have to be registered with the Ministry of Information saying the laws were necessary to dissuade bloggers from promoting disorder in Malaysia’s multi-ethnic society.[citation needed]
Malaysia has a history of banning musicians. In 2003 US rock band Linkin Park were banned from wearing shorts while performing[7] and in 2004, singer Mariah Carey was asked to cover up.[7][8] Madonna has been banned from Malaysian television[9] and a scheduled concert by Norwegian metal band, Mayhem, was banned earlier in 2006.[10] Malaysian organizers of a Pussycat Dolls concert have been fined for flouting decency laws.[7]
Malaysia once banned the release of the Bible in an Iban language translation over the translation for the word "God", i.e. "Allah Tala" which was widely thought to be specifically for Muslim use, but had since lifted it.[11]
[edit] Partial list of fims banned in Malaysia [4]
- The Exorcist (1973) - passed for VCD release by Movie Master
- Saturday Night Fever (1977) - passed for DVD release
- Cannibal Holocaust (1980)
- Scarface (1983)
- Pet Sematary (1989)
- Schindler's List (1993) - passed in 2004 for DVD release by Berjaya HVN
- Babe (1995) - passed for VHS release by Berjaya HVN in 1996
- Showgirls (1995) - passed for DVD release
- Tales from the Crypt Presents: Demon Knight (1995)
- Last Man Standing (1996)
- Boogie Nights (1997) - passed for DVD release
- Orgazmo (1997) - strong sex related themes
- Babe: Pig in the City (1998)- passed for VCD release by Berjaya HVN
- Blade (1998)
- The Prince of Egypt (1998) - passed for VCD and DVD release by Berjaya HVN
- Saving Private Ryan (1998) - passed for VCD and DVD release by Berjaya HVN
- Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999)
- American Pie (1999) - passed for DVD release
- South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut (1999)
- Fiza (2001)
- Zoolander (2001)
- Auto Focus (2002) - passed for VCD release from MediaMax.com Sdn Bhd.
- Queen of the Damned (2002)
- Pinocchio (2002)
- Bruce Almighty (2003) - passed for VCD and DVD release by Berjaya HVN
- Daredevil (2003) - passed for VCD and DVD release
- Homerun (2003)
- Freddy vs. Jason (2003)
- Underworld (2003)
- Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003) - passed for DVD release by Berjaya HVN
- The Girl Next Door (2004)
- The Passion of the Christ (2004) - prohibited from non-Christian viewers
- Sideways (2004)
- Team America: World Police (2004)
- Saw (2004)
- Sin City (2005)
- Hustle & Flow (2005)
- The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005)
- Saw II (2005)
- Inside Deep Throat (2005)
- Hard Candy (2005)
- Hostel (2005)
- Rent (2005)
- Brokeback Mountain (2006)
- See No Evil (2006)
- United 93 (2006)
- How to Eat Fried Worms (2006)
- Saw III (2006)
- Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (2006)
- Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film For Theaters (2007)
- Hostel: Part II (2007)
- Halloween (2007)
- Saw IV (2007)
[edit] References
- ^ Kent, Johnathan. "Malaysia's censorship strangles growth", BBC, 2007-11-26. Retrieved on 2008-01-01.
- ^ "Malaysia bans Affleck's Daredevil", BBC, 2003-02-14. Retrieved on 2008-01-01.
- ^ "Friends episode banned in Malaysia", BBC, 2002-08-23.
- ^ a b "Titles banned in Malaysia", Internet Movie Database. Retrieved on 2008-02-29. (English)
- ^ McAdams, Mindy. "How to report a wedding", Asia Media, 2007-06-12.
- ^ 2006 List of banned publication. Malaysian Ministry of Internal Security.
- ^ a b c BBC News Online. Indecency fine for Pussycat Dolls. Retrieved on 2008-01-19.
- ^ BBC News Online. Mariah upsets Malaysian Muslims. Retrieved on 2008-01-19.
- ^ Freemuse. American music performance banned from tv. Retrieved on 2008-01-19
- ^ Metal Underground. Mayhem Banned From Malaysia. Retrieved on 2008-01-19
- ^ Bible Networks. Malaysia's ban on Iban Bible lifted. Retrieved on 2008-04-15
