The NUJ is to hold an extraordinary delegates' conference (EDC) on Saturday to debate its proposal that members of the mass media take a pledge on fair reporting during the coming general election.

"Members of the union on duty during the general election will have to subscribe to fair reporting and endeavour to ensure balanced reporting," NUJ said in a statement today, describing the motion that is to be debated.

NONEThe move comes after the union's executive council voted unanimously in January to introduce the fair reporting pledge, but held off plans for the pledge to be taken until the proposal is endorsement by NUJ delegates.

"We feel it will give legitimacy to our action if a decision is made by the highest decision-making body and not (just by) the exco," general-secretary V Anbalagan said.

NUJ officials are confident the resolution will be passed, though some members of the union have reportedly expressed their dissent.

The 'fair reporting pledge' stems from a dialogue session held by the Malaysian Institute for Development and Asian Studies of UCSI University on Jan 12, titled "Truth Matters: The Media and GE13" attended by NUJ representatives, academicians and media practitioners.

The forum agreed that biased and unfair reporting, especially by the mainstream media during election periods, is a black mark on Malaysian journalism.

Move to send 'a firm message' to powers-that-be

The EDC will be held at the NST Training room in Kuala Lumpur at 9am.

The move, while it may not be able to stem the tide of slanted journalism in itself, is deemed as necessary to send a firm message on NUJ's stand on the matter and the union's fortitude in pressing this ethical issue to the powers-that-be and errant journalists.

The second resolution to be debated on Saturday will call on the government, after obtaining mandate from the delegates, to appoint a parliamentary select committee to review all existing legislation and give effect to freedom of speech, expression and assembly.

The day will also see the launch of NUJ's 50th year anniversary logo and its Safety Handbook for Journalists.

"The book, in English, Bahasa Malaysia and Mandarin, seeks to provide a guide to reporters, photographers and cameramen the preparations needed in a natural disaster, conflicts and in war zones," says the NUJ statement.

The need for such guidelines came to the fore when a Bernama TV reporter was shot dead while on duty in Somalia. Many have blamed his death on inadequate safety precautions and training for journalists on duty in danger zones.