The MCA has been lambasted for raising issues about press freedom when it has a stake in several media outlets and has been known to exert political influence over their editorial decisions and news coverage.

NONEPenang Island municipal councillor Ong Ah Teong, who had a recent run-in with the press, said the MCA, with its financial and political control, does not respect the basic principle of non-interference in media operations.

"I find it strange that MCA can talk about press freedom when it actually owns newspapers and news agencies," said Ong.

"This is far worse than merely barring some journalists from attending events out of one's ‘personal choice’."

The MCA, through its investment arm Huaren Holdings, controls several prominent media companies, including English-language daily The Star.

Ong said it was an open secret that MCA politicians have influence -  directly or indirectly - on the editorial board and decision-making processes, especially on coverage of politics and news.

He said the Penang government and the local council are open to all views, including those of their opponents.

"What we cannot accept is unethical journalism (masquerading as media independence), which does not give us the right of reply or the opportunity to clarify matters," Ong said.

NONE"Until such newspapers comply with standard principles of journalism, they have to face the consequences of their actions.”

Ong said he has nothing personal against journalists but that he is taking newspaper owners to task for failing to respect the true meaning of journalism.

He was commenting on a statement by Penang MCA adviser Koay Kar Huah (right) last Saturday, criticising the state government for "media censorship", given that Ong had barred journalists from Utusan Malaysia and the New Straits Times from attending his press conference.

'Right to decide’

Koay had also criticised the state government’s ‘double standards” and refusal to accept constructive criticism of its shortcomings.

“What sort of information can be so sensitive to prevent Utusan Malaysia and NST from reporting (it), while all other members of the media corps are given access (to news sources)?" Koay asked.

Countering this, Ong said Koay should do his homework and state only the facts, not "mislead the public".

Ong said the two journalists were not invited to his press conference because their newspapers had “misquoted” him in previous reports and not because there were "sensitive issues to hide".

He said Koay, as a senior politician, must know that repeating a lie is defamation.

"Surely, as host of my press conference, I have the right to (decide who to) invite, just as newspapers have the right to decide whether my event should be given coverage or not," he  said.

"If they do not give me coverage, I do not mind. I will not blame them for giving me the cold shoulder," Ong said.

"If newspapers want to play fair and dislike double standards, they must not practise double standards (themselves, whether this involves politicians) from the BN or Pakatan Rakyat.”