Sometimes i wonder how many issues and problems thee are in this world just waiting in the background of all the brouhaha of sensationalised news for their turn in the global spotlight. Furthermore, I fully recognise that whatever I would be writing below would draw much flak, this is something I should do and greatly belief in what I would write.
Sure, there are no World Wars in this day and age, but the age old problems of poverty, hunger and injustice are still prevalent in today's society. Yet, the reason why this issue really gets under my skin is not simply only because it distracts us from the more important issues in life, and even worse, builds walls between the people of power that CAN actually do more than most of us.
Nevertheless, the main reason that it pisses me off, is not so profound as these noble aspirations. I for one am not a man of such noble deeds and aspirations and that the injustice to these aspirations done by these group of self-proclaimed vigilantes have done. No, I for one am infuriated simply because I belief that there are some things that must, and i reiterate, MUST be kept and maintained confidential. The logic is simple. Everyone, regardless of who and what one may be, all have a skeleton or two in the wardrobe, a dirty little secret that should be kept out of the eyes of others. These little secrets don't always have to be incriminating evidence of some heinous crime, but simple things, like a childhood crush, or a hobby *ahem* that one would rather others not know about.
I believe that some things are to be kept confidential. That is why we build walls in our houses and doors and gates to keep others out, so that we can at least keep a few secrets, have confidential conversations in confidence that whatever we say would NOT end up in the newspapers the next morning. On the same note, politicians are human, belief it or not, like anyone of us. Thus, it is inevitable that they, like us, form opinions, first impressions of things and people. It is not in the least surprising that some may hold others in disdain or whatsoever. Afterall, who doesn't?
On the same issue, my Dad posed an intriguing question. Why? What is the true motive behind the release of the several hundred thousand previously confidential cables? Pause for a minute and think about it, would you, even having access by some miraculous means, voluntarily surrender thousands of such documents to some random guy with a website, for all to see? Documents that could potentially jeopardise YOUR governments efforts from diplomacy to a protracted war? Especially when YOUR PAYROLL comes from the very same people you would potentially harm by releasing these cables? From where I come from, that would be a one-way ticket to Unemployment Land and Bankruptcy Paradise. Whoo hoo~~
But seriously, every other day I read about these issues and it really gets me wondering, how many out there can see beyond the Utopian dream of, and I qoute, "Keep Governments Open"? How many are rational enough to be grounded in this harsh and cruel world that unrestrained "Free Press" would only lead to more chaos, that we are all so getting tired of.
Thus, the model of an unrestrained "Free Press" is not for me. Afterall, there is no such thing as complete freedom for any individual. Thus, it only seems rational that models like Singapore's "responsible journalism" is the one for me. Sure one risks getting sued in court for publishing some articles, but isn't it the same as telling someone off in the face? For one, you risk getting sued, the other you risk getting a knuckle-sandwich in your face, or the other guy may declare a blood-feud...
Thus, enlighten me please the defenders of such an outrageous idea, how whatever you are doing can, as a certain Jackson once sang, "make it a better place, for you and for me and the entire human race".
