HEARD THAT ROSMAH! 'We voted for politicians, not their families' - pro-Dr M editor

A veteran journalist has called on the powers-that-be not to gun down the messenger and those who reprimand the government to correct wrongs.

A Kadir Jasin said the people voted their respective representatives to administer the nation and therefore have the right to criticise them.

“We did not vote for their children, wives, son and daughter in-laws as well as their friends. So it is incumbent on party members, voters, taxpayers and citizens to reprimand their elected representatives.

“This is the spirit of democracy - a government by the people, for the people,” he added in his blog posting regarding his views shared at a discussion on current issues yesterday.

The former New Straits Times group editor-in-chief said taking the media to task would not resolve the problem if what is being reported is true.

“If one harbinger of bad news is vanquished, scores more would emerge. Information and communications technology has allowed anyone with a computer and smartphone to become a journalist.

“The rulers and political parties no longer have absolute control over the power to shape perceptions and control of information...,” he added.

MH370: No conspiracy by foreign media

On the coverage regarding missing Flight MH370, Kadir told the audience at the talk that there was no conspiracy by the foreign media to soil Malaysia’s image.

Based on his observation, the veteran journalist said apart from certain reports that were sensationalised and injected with elements of nationalism, especially by media in China, the reporting was generally factual.

“I told the audience that as long as the plane is not found, till then the media will fill its news space with theories and speculations. And when the plane is found, the media’s focus will shift to the investigation.

“I told them that we need to first look at ourselves before blaming the media and foreigners if our international image is tainted,” he added.

Kadir also said he highlighted two issues during the discussion, among them the ill-treatment of foreign workers in Malaysia.

“So can we blame the foreign media for ruining our country’s image by reporting such incidents when our media does the same (when it comes to other nations)?” he asked.

The talk was organised by Institut Darul Ridzuan (IDR), the think-tank formed by Perak Menteri Besar Zambry Abdul Kadir.

The discussion focussed on the role of the new and old media, especially the social media, in the shaping of public perception. -Malaysiakini