WITH Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob having denied that Putrajaya has meddled in alleged political interference in the local media yesterday (Sept 14) – an acid test to his one-week old notion of media freedom – there could only be one likelihood.
This is that there are ‘invisible third forces’ that are calling their shots at will which the PM is oblivious, too, an action that only undermine the assurance that “if the information is true, there will be no objections and constraints from the Government on how the news is to be delivered”.
“Who meddled? Usually if there’s political meddling, it (refers) to the Government but we (the current administration) have never interfered in such matters,” Ismail Sabri told the media after attending the Malaysia Pavilion Dubai Expo 2020 Appreciation Ceremony in Putrajaya last night (Sept 14).
“I have said the media has freedom. We give absolute freedom to the media as long as the reports made are the truth and responsible. As long as the reports are accurate, not slanderous and are responsible, the Government has no problem with this. If it doesn’t violate the law, there is no issue.”
While the PM is seemingly clueless to who the culprits are, it would not be so difficult to second guess who are the masterminds behind the so-called ‘invisible third forces’ judging from the chain of recent events affecting the country’s media industry over the past 48 hours.
On Tuesday (Sept 13) alone, media practitioners in Malaysia were rocked with two distasteful events – allegations that there was political interference behind the recent appointment of a new group editor at the mainstream News Straits Times (NST) and the criminal defamation charges brought against former editor-in-chief of The Edge Ahmad Azam Mohd Aris and contributing editor M. Shanmugam.
While the PM is busy rolling up his sleeves in anticipation of the forthcoming Budget 2023 which he himself has contemplated breaking tradition to table himself on Oct 7 – and more importantly, the 15th General Election (GE15) which can only mean make or break for certain quarters – it is very possible for Ismail Sabri to lose sight of the enemies from within, especially those wolves in sheep’s clothing.
The hope for media practitioners in Malaysia at this juncture – from the major mainstream publications which are often linked to political ‘warlords’ or their cronies to the under-strengthened independent news portals – is that the PM is wary of the current turbulence sweeping the media industry and swiftly initiate measures to restore media freedom which has begun to be slipping away.
Above all else, he should pay heed to the concerns raised by National Union of Journalists Malaysia (NUJM) general secretary, Chin Sung Chew who has expressed shock over the sudden removal of NST’s present group editor Ahmad Lokman Mansor.
“We urge the group and the organisation’s management to address the issue arising as it affects the integrity and reputation of the company which has a 177-year-old history in newsprint,” he pointed out in a statement issued yesterday (Sept 14).
“These concerns as well as the petition circulating against the new group editor’s appointment have to be thoroughly investigated and brought to the attention of shareholders and the board to ensure that the company can continue serving the people and the nation.”
Chin added that the consequences of sweeping such grave matters under the rug would be severe as many mainstream media companies had gone bust in the past due to alleged misconduct and political interference.
“Shareholders and the board should swiftly meet the staff to prevent further disharmony and conflict,” he said.
In urging the PM to uphold his stance of not interfering with media freedom, non-governmental organsiation (NGO) ALIRAN highlighted concerns over allegations that the change at NST’s top management was in preparation for the upcoming GE15 in which party-affiliated media is expected to sway voters’ hearts and minds for political gain.
“It appears that professionalism has been edged out by political expediency. This is abominable to the integrity of the journalistic profession and the media industry,” stated Malaysia’s first multi-ethnic reform movement dedicated to justice, freedom and solidarity. – Sept 15, 2022
Pic credit: Astro Awani
