KUALA LUMPUR 2 December - The fall in newspaper circulation clearly proves that people are “disgusted” with the mainstream media, said the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) in their call for “true media freedom” for the new year.

“The union is asking all mainstream journalists, especially of Utusan Malaysia, New Straits Times, Berita Harian and the Star to return to their true function as deliverers of objective information to the public, and not as tools of propaganda for the government of any political party or individual, for their personal gain,” said NUJ president Hata Wahari (right) in a statement today.

“The drop in newspaper circulation announced by the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) clearly proves that people are far too disgusted with what is served up by the newspapers, which not only fail to develop the mind, but are full of horrible propaganda,” said Hata.

“These papers can be categorised as cheap tabloids because they have no dignity and self-respect because its authors have buried their principles deep and their only purpose is to see the paper printed,” he said.

Hata singled out Umno-linked Malay daily Utusan Malaysia, which he said had seen a daily circulation of as high as 350,000 but has since suffered in sales and descended into government propaganda specialising in “playing up racial issues and sparking ethnic rows”.

“The chief editor and journalists of Utusan Malaysia have no principles, pride or dignity. They just want to maintain their lucrative positions earning tens of thousands of ringgit.

“That's why they bow to their political masters, who cling on to power by using Utusan Malaysia as their propaganda tool,” said Hata.