KUALA LUMPUR, May 28 ― New Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo has pledged to work closely with the media fraternity towards shaping a better-informed Malaysian society.
Addressing Bernama staff on his maiden visit to the Malaysian national news agency, he said he was open to suggestions and anyone could contact him personally on his mobile phone to contribute ideas.
“I am here as your minister and I want all of you to be open with me. Tell me how it should be done; tell me how it is.
“We can free ourselves of the past and move towards a brighter Malaysia in reporting,” he said.
Also present at the event were Bernama chairman Datuk Seri Azman Ujang, Bernama chief executive officer Datuk Zulkefli Salleh and Bernama editor-in-chief Datuk Zakaria Abdul Wahab.
Before coming to Bernama, Gobind Singh visited RTM and the Tun Abdul Razak Institute of Broadcasting and Information (IPPTAR).
Acknowledging that he would have a mammoth task to transform RTM, he said equal treatment should be given to all local media agencies.
“I'm going to sit with every news (media) agency that I can and literally talk to them; that is the approach that I'm taking,” he said.
Gobind Singh also stressed that the media freedom in Malaysia needed to be reviewed, and this was among the promises made by the Pakatan Harapan.
“I agree that with a government in place, the function of newsmen is to bring information from the government to the people but how about when there’s a situation where there must be criticism against the government of the day?” he said.
He said he agreed with the statement by Pakatan Harapan de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim last Saturday that the media should be the voice of the people and steadfast in ensuring a check and balance on the government of the day. ― Bernama
