Hands off the press, urges ex-Media Prima boss

COMMENT | News about a company acquiring a stake in Malaysia’s largest integrated media company is against that spirit of “Malaysia Baharu”.

Political parties post-GE 14 should stay clear from media companies. At the same time, no one should be fronting for the purpose.

We should have learned valuable lessons on how the press should not be controlled by the ruling elite.

The years leading to the last election saw how the mainstream media was being used unashamedly for political purpose. The current leaders in the PH government have been complaining about the slant and the unfairness of the press coverage about them at the time.

The press in Malaysia is currently enjoying an unprecedented freedom since the last election. There is freshness in the air.

We need a free but responsible press. It matters to us now more than ever before. Press freedom is paramount for a nation like ours.

The press needs to assert it right and its moral obligation to question and criticise. The press too has the right to call upon leaders and public figures to account.

The press must be guaranteed to exercise its responsibility to society without fear and favour. At the same time, it must be held accountable for its conduct and deeds.

Media practitioners too must work within the parameters of regulations and rules and more importantly their own code of conduct.

In the case of whoever is behind the acquiring of Umno’s stake in Media Prima Berhad (MPB), the deal certainly raised eyebrows.

Umno did the right thing in disposing of its interests. After all, they believe it does not make sense holding on to a minority stake in a company they can’t have any say in the management and editorial.

It cannot be “business as usual” anymore. We need to change. The Pakatan Harapan government must keep its promise to stay clear from the media.

We must start a new journey, not the one we are used to since the taking over of Utusan Melayu by Umno in 1961.

The market initially was abuzz with few offers from other groups, one of which was from Karangkraf that owns the Sinar Harian newspaper.

Sinar Harian has proven to be only audacious mainstream newspaper during the dark years of the media before the 2018 election.

The group has more credibility to acquire such a stake, not any crony company. But sadly, they do not have a deep pocket.

JOHAN JAAFFAR was formerly the group editor of Utusan Melayu group of companies (1992-1998) and chairperson of Media Prima Berhad from 2009 to 2015.