Update 2: But a couple of media sources tell me that the NST journalist is probably reluctant to provide specific instances of preferential treatment of businesses and projects as that would amount to revealing his sources, including who the disgruntled business people are. “He can’t expect journalists to dance to his tune,” one of them said. They also felt that it was unfair to single out particular media organisations to be barred as it amounted to “divide and rule” over the media.
Update 1: It has just come to my attention that the main reason Guan Eng is unhappy with the NST is that he felt the journalist had questioned his personal integrity by reporting that certain business people had lamented that he had given preferential treatment for certain projects and personalities. From what I understand, Guan Eng had challenged the journalist to produce a list of such occurrences – and has not yet received such a list, and thus he felt the journalist’s statement was unfair and had cast doubt on his integrity. It was for that reason that he had barred the NST from press conferences.
Despite the obvious political leanings of papers like the NST, Sharanjit Singh has a point in his piece: What’s your beef, Guan Eng?
The Pakatan fellas have to get used to the idea of “unfriendly media” or critical media covering their press conferences and not pick and choose their media.
In Ipoh, at the height of the crisis, I was barred from entering the MB’s residence for 45 minutes while “friendly media” such as Harakah and Suara Keadilan as well as ordinary folks were allowed in by the Pas Unit Amal folks at the gate. I don’t blame them as they were just “ikut arahan” – whose orders, I dont know.
Apparently, the instructions were issued after certain mainstream media had been portraying the Pakatan in a negative light in the preceding days. Also kept out for a while at the front gate were other independent media such as the Chinese-language Merdeka Review and blogger Wong Chin Huat.
I pointed out to the guards that their instructions were reminiscent of the BN way of doing things. And then fresh instructions arrived that the Chinese-language media would be allowed in – which only made matters worse. (It still left me out!)
Finally, I had to barge my way in with the rest of the ordinary Perakians who were attending the ceramah. All this hassle because I had identified myself as “media” and was carrying a “dangerous weapon” – a laptop.
We have to nip any authoritarian tendencies in the bud and that includes those displayed by Pakatan leaders.
The tendency to choose only friendly correspondents is not confined to local politicians. When I submitted my name as IPS correspondent to cover the World Bank and IMF annual meetings in Singapore a couple of years ago, the organisers initially rejected me – until IPS themselves intervened and got them to reverse their decision.
In this day and age, when every other person has a blog and when scores of citizen journalists are roaming around, it doesn’t make sense trying to restrict the media – especially at a time when the new media are giving the traditional media a run for their money.
Let the contest be between opposing ideas and world views. And let the people decide which ideas they find palatable and acceptable and which media they want to read or follow.
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he is an advocate of press freedom, but did those nincompoops who reported untruths about him appreciate it. NOPE. and from what i read in the above mentioned report, NST is trying to blame LGE by mixing a few unrelated stuff together in the report. 1.the pg based reporter shouldn’t have been ISA-ed in the first place.she has done no wrong. 2.MSM(ex. Bernama, Utusan Meloya, New S… Times) loves to play up sensitive issues, and that’s a fact. is it wrong when LGE scold you guys abt it? 3.LGE is just snubbing you guys. It’s not like they are ISA-ing… Read more »
They have lot to learn, yes, and they shouldn’t have barred the journalist. but frankly, would the MSM bother to tell the truth without any harmful additives,coloring, and flavoring before serving it to us? I dont think so. So, it does not make any difference if anything done by PR is reported by those toilet paper or not, cos 99.9 percent of these reports are fabricated bulls***.
I totally agree with you. If Pakatan starts picking and chosing their media then that is effectively a form of censoring. You have to take the good with the bad. And sue the pants off the people who publish libelious articles. After all, if you are a transparent and accountable government – you have nothing to fear.
Dear Anil, Under most circumstances, I would agree with you. But perhaps you can help us understand the issue better. As an example, regarding the case of Utusan false reporting on Teresa Kok, it is hard to justify allowing any parties who are hell bent on half truths and whole lies. Why let them have an easy time covering an event when they are not keen on reporting the truth? I’m not saying NST is lying. Either NST is lying or Guan Eng is lying. But if you are the party involve and you know the opposite is lying, what… Read more »
Dear Anil
Politicians are politicians; when they out of power their
tone is different; when they get into authority their tone
changes. We have not only Guan Eng, but also all other
politicians as well as those who keep on changing their colours,
including Anwar Ibrahim. People must be on their GUARD AT ALL
TIMES.
What the hell is UMNO and Barisan N gonna do next?
if i visit Perak and pay homage to the tree, ie. take a photo of myself with the tree, would they sent cops to arrest me under the ISA?
this sutupid BN govt is really desperate to cling on to power dont they???
Until the MSM learn to criticise the BN politician and their actions please put their small pistols in their pants. Look at the “Correct, Correct, Correct”, submarine, Mongolia crisis, Perak crisis, and thousand more cases. So, please MSM just got do what you do best because until you learn too report the facts just do us a favor and “die”…. let other people do your work.
I’m no fan of LGE, but hey, I would pull my children out of a school that allowed the NST in. People have to have standards! The ‘chinese language press only’ thing is a disaster. The “dangerous weapon” bit is hyperbole isn’t it? Anna Brella, I’ve bemoaned the absence of press secretaries in Malaysian public life many a time. I’m sure some of these people might be quite able administrators. It’s a pity many of their public utterances suggest the opposite. The red rocket’s symbolism is described at DAP’s website here: http://dapmalaysia.org/newenglish/au_sr.htm and a snook of mine cocked here: http://isono.my/2009/02/political-party-logos-part-3/… Read more »
““dangerous weapon” – a laptop.”
Yeah. must be “deadly”.
Kee Kee.
I am surprised they didn’t let you in.
Gee.
Update 2: But a couple of media sources tell me that the NST journalist is probably reluctant to provide specific instances of preferential treatment of businesses and projects as that would amount to revealing his sources, including who the disgruntled business people are. “He can’t expect journalists to dance to his tune,” one of them said. They also felt that it was unfair to single out particular media organisations to be barred as it amounted to “divide and rule” over the media. Anil, I disagree with such explanations. If you dare to talk, you must be dared to face consequences.… Read more »
I do support the comments of the writer that we should “Nip any authoritarian tendencies among PR leaders “.
But as the saying goes, “WHAT IS GOOD FOR THE GOOD IS (MUST BE) GOOD FOR THE GANDER” so is the media ready to show the same intensity of upholding press freedom, transparency and HONEST” reporting where the Barisan and especially UMNO is concerned or are you guys still prepared to kow tow, sembah, grovel, boot lick the UMNO???
Fair is Fair. Right?
In my view what the PR team needs desperately is an ultra-razor-sharp Public Relations Rapid Response Unit which mirrors the unrivalled benchmark one we saw unleashed in the Bill Clinton 1992 Campaign under the sterling leadership of lead strategist James Carville and communications director George Stephanopoulos. That two-man team was inspiring beyond belief and I have never seen them bettered! They kept on responding with sustained and awesome cerebral power launched at lightning speed against all the spin and Republican propaganda hurled at their campaign. And as some have already suggested in various blogs, the Pakatan Rakyat alliance team needs… Read more »
I just love Karpal, the one and only one politician who still believe and insist to stand on his principle, disregard whatever that had happened.
myblog, I concur and wish to salute you.
Well, I feel for Guan Eng, you guys shouldn’t be too hard on him. I’m sure he is frustrated that despite his best efforts, the mainstream UMNO-controlled media will constantly nitpick at him for his minor faults because he is an easy target because he is not from UMNO. Anilnetto, Why not ask NST why is it they do not do the same treatment of harsh media reports on … UMNO Chief Ministers from Malacca, Pahang, etc.? Or the likes of Najib, Samy Vellu, and all those UMNO …? Remember, the NST is own by UMNO. You can’t really call… Read more »
With reference to your statement below, I have to admit I only buy newspapers now to read where got Adidas shoe sale, Computer Warehouse Sale, Tefal pots sale etc. I don’t even bother with news content when there are great blogs like yours, Malaysiakini, Nutgraph, and Malaysian Insider. The only MSM worth getting is The Sun. All my friends agree, traditional newspapers are good only to see where got sale. In this day and age, when every other person has a blog and when there are scores of citizen journalists roaming around, it doesn’t make sense trying to restrict the… Read more »
Well, we want them to be the peoples representatives and work for the benefit of people and better society.
However, we don’t want them to be “wimps”, so I think that this is not a fair comment.
They represent us and are there to take care of our interests BUT they are not our slaves that are completely subordinate to us. We want people with Brains and independent outlook.
This my take and can tell the NST fellow that this is my beef, malaysian one and not an Americanized version.
Now all of you can criticize me
Ah anil this countryman is he the one with the long and bushy beard,well if he is the one then this article is pointless as he is also … of bn.
Anil – i couldn’t agree with you more on this.
The cheek.
They should have a scale of one to ten for “renegade” journalists, with Wong Chun Wai scoring a perfect 10.
Not to be confused, of course, with Mr Nutgraph himself, Chin Huat. He seems to be the sensible type.
I agree. We shouldn’t have to be replacing one bunch of fascists with another.