Travel Writing (Malaysia)

Medium: Print Journalism

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Artist: Journalists

Confronting Bodies: Malayasian government

Dates of Action: 1991

Location: Malaysia

Description of Artwork: Any journalist taking part in travel press trips subsidized by the Malaysian Government.

The Incident: "... Journalists participating in travel press trips subsidized by the Malaysian government must now agree in writing to submit articles and photos for the host country's approval prior to publication. The restrictions are intended to prevent any "detrimental" images of Malaysia from being published..."

Results of Incident: "The new policy now being instituted by Malaysia could hurt the country's tourism in the long run. 'Censoring how the press covers a destination means first rate travel journalists simply won't cover it,' said Irv Hamilton of San Francisco based Aviso Inc., a firm that represents the Australian Tourist commission."

Source: Public Relations Journal, "Malaysia censors travel writers", pg. 9, July 1991