Give fair coverage to backbenchers, urges BBC head
Beh Lih YiPublished: Oct 7, 2004 10:51 AM | Updated: Jan 29, 2008 10:21 AM
The government's backbenchers club (BBC) head Shahrir Samad has urged the media to give members of Parliament fair coverage.
The government's backbenchers club (BBC) head Shahrir Samad has urged the media to give members of Parliament fair coverage.
He named a few government-controlled mainstream Malay and English dailies and told them to change what he termed as "post-colonial" mindset when reporting on parliamentary proceedings.
"Don't just report on the 'palace' only," he told 60-odd journalists and MPs at a media luncheon organised by the BBC in Parliament this afternoon.
Shahrir explained what he meant was that the English and Malay papers concerned only focused on ministerial statements but neglected the voices of grassroots conveyed through the MPs in Parliament.
He however commended the Chinese press for their balanced reports as people knew their MPs were taking up local issues in Parliament through reports in the vernacular dailies.
Shahrir who is also Johor Baru MP reminded journalists to present fair and accurate reports as this will encourage parliamentarians from speaking up more confidently for the people.
He recalled an incident where he was upset over a 'twisted' report made by the New Straits Times.
New website for MPs
He said the incident occurred after a dinner held during the last parliamentary session where Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak was invited to speak and commended the backbenchers on behalf of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for their performance.
"However, the next day when the report was published, suddenly the praises become 'PM ticks off backbenchers," Shahrir claimed.
"I remember then I asked Pak Lah: Shall I call Kalimullah (Hassan, NSTP group editor-in-chief), but Pak Lah said he will handle it," he added.
At the same event, Shahrir revealed that the government has approved a proposal to establish a special new website aiming to let the public know how their MPs were performing.
The BBC head explained that each MP will be given a "folder" in the website, which will contain their photo and profile. The MP can also publicise their activities on the site.
He named a few government-controlled mainstream Malay and English dailies and told them to change what he termed as "post-colonial" mindset when reporting on parliamentary proceedings.
"Don't just report on the 'palace' only," he told 60-odd journalists and MPs at a media luncheon organised by the BBC in Parliament this afternoon. Shahrir explained what he meant was that the English and Malay papers concerned only focused on ministerial statements but neglected the voices of grassroots conveyed through the MPs in Parliament.
He however commended the Chinese press for their balanced reports as people knew their MPs were taking up local issues in Parliament through reports in the vernacular dailies.
Shahrir who is also Johor Baru MP reminded journalists to present fair and accurate reports as this will encourage parliamentarians from speaking up more confidently for the people.
He recalled an incident where he was upset over a 'twisted' report made by the New Straits Times.
New website for MPs
He said the incident occurred after a dinner held during the last parliamentary session where Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak was invited to speak and commended the backbenchers on behalf of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for their performance.
"However, the next day when the report was published, suddenly the praises become 'PM ticks off backbenchers," Shahrir claimed.
"I remember then I asked Pak Lah: Shall I call Kalimullah (Hassan, NSTP group editor-in-chief), but Pak Lah said he will handle it," he added.
At the same event, Shahrir revealed that the government has approved a proposal to establish a special new website aiming to let the public know how their MPs were performing.
The BBC head explained that each MP will be given a "folder" in the website, which will contain their photo and profile. The MP can also publicise their activities on the site.
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