EC wants fair access to media

Commission to request airtime from ministry to let parties highlight manifestos

PETALING JAYA: The Election Commission (EC) wants to play host on air to ensure all political parties have fair access to the broadcast media during the general election campaign period.

EC deputy chairman Datuk Wan Ahmad Wan Omar said the commission wanted to hold forums to provide a platform for the parties to highlight their manifestos and to disseminate their messages to the voters.

“We have visited several countries where the election commissions there facilitate airtime to ensure fair and equal access for all those contesting in the elections,” he said yesterday.

Wan Ahmad said the EC was requesting airtime from the Information and Communication Ministry, adding that it was in line with the Parliamentary Select Committee’s (PSC) call to ensure all political parties had fair access to the mass media.

On whether the EC would also host political debates, Wan Ahmad said it would depend on their suitability.

“We will focus more on programmes for the contesting parties to have their say. We have not finalised the details yet,” he added.

He said the EC would also hold separate meetings with the print media to encourage them to provide a balanced coverage to all parties during the campaigning period.

“We also hope party organs like Harakah, Roket, Roketkini and Suara Keadilan will provide a balanced coverage.

“They (the Opposition) have been demanding fair and balanced coverage from the mainstream media. They should also exercise what they preach,” he added.

Wan Ahmad said those organising social media sites should also be more responsible and provide fair coverage.

EC chairman Tan Sri Aziz Mohd Yusof said they would prepare a draft guideline for the mainstream media to ensure fair coverage for all parties.

“Although we have no authority over the privately-run mass media, we will also provide guidelines for them after holding discussions with the stakeholders,” he added.

Onwhether the EC would encourage live telecast of debates during the campaigning period, Aziz said they would discuss the matter with various quarters, including the management of the electronic media, political parties and the police.