Feel free to criticise ministers, journos told
SHAH ALAM: Journalists can criticise ministers and be “direction changers” in this new era in government.
Media and communications adviser in the Prime Minister’s Office Datuk A. Kadir Jasin said journalists were not obligated to adhere to everything said by ministers and deputy ministers, especially as some ministers, being new, might not be good speakers or well-informed of every issue.
“Most of the ministers are still new. Journalists should help them as they have experience.
“If possible, I do not want journalists to be blocked or looked down on by any minister or politician.
“It should be mandatory for ministers and their deputies to accept criticism,” he said at the Universiti Teknologi Mara-International Communications Association Regional Conference here yesterday.
Kadir, who is former New Straits Times Press group-editor-in-chief and Tokoh Wartawan Negara, said when he was in the journalism industry, he had often criticised ministers.
“Any criticism, though, must be sincere and not just to find fault with the minister or deputy minister to make the news article ‘juicier’. If we feel that our criticism is beneficial, we have the right to tell them or their press secretaries.
“Your duty is to teach. If such criticism cannot be accepted, you cannot (do your job as) the media.”
Kadir said the new government’s promise for more press freedom should be an opportunity for journalists to come up with news reports which could boost the people’s critical thinking.
“Your reports must benefit society, even if they are not interesting or sensational. The media now seems to be influenced only by the sensational to the point that it has become their bread and butter.”