Media Must Be Responsible And Ethical, Says Abdullah

KUALA LUMPUR, May 3 (Bernama) -- Media practitioners, including bloggers, must be responsible and ethical in reporting important issues, including those on fuel prices and the food crisis occurring in the country now, said Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
The Prime Minister said this was because whatever was reported will draw much attention and would have an influence on public opinion.
"I believe we can all cooperate and assist in tackling this problem because it is not only the problem of the government, but a collective responsibility, not my problem, not only the government's problem, but our problem," he said in his speech at the Malaysian Press Night 2008 and MPI-Petronas Malaysian Press Award Night 2007, here, Friday night.
Also present were the Prime Minister's wife Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah, Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek, former Information Minister Datuk Seri Zainuddin Maidin, Bernama Chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Annuar Zaini, Bernama General Manager who is also Chairman of the Board of Trustee of the Malaysian Press Institute (MPI) Datuk Azman Ujang, and MPI Chief Executive Officer Datuk Chamil Wariya.
Commenting on journalism ethics, the Prime Minister said as journalists, it was important for them to know not only how to write reports, but also to take into consideration journalism ethics which should be the guide in their writings.
"In my opinion, the media must be constructive and responsible in presenting their views.
The views and role of the media should be respected...if they write irresponsibly, come up with incorrect stories, this is not the way to earn public respect," he said.
Abdullah said it was also important for the journalists to understand the subject that they were writing on so that the readers would not misunderstand the report.
"If there is misunderstanding in the report made, this could lead to misunderstanding among the people which would create a wrong reaction and lead to bigger problems," he said.
Thus he proposed the creation of a group of journalists specialising on specific subjects, especially on the issue of escalating fuel prices and the food crisis to avoid inaccurate reports, speculations, assumptions and perceptions on these issues.
He said that as Prime Minister, he had numerous tasks and he hoped journalists would play their role in conveying the correct report to eliminate public misconception on these issues.
He also hoped that the media could play a role in correcting the misperception on the role of Petronas which was frequently claimed to be reluctant in helping to ease the burden of the people who were increasingly facing the problem of rising fuel prices and the food crisis.
"The public perception is that Petronas has massive funds and is not willing to use the money to help the people. Although I have repeatedly said that such perception was incorrect, the people refuse to believe this," he said.
In addition, he said the mass media could help the government in correcting the social lifestyle where there was an increasing tendency to indulge in wastage.
"Such wastage was not only in terms of food, but also electricity. Even in broad daylight, they still want to switch on the light.
This sort of lifestyle must be changed so that we will no longer feel stressed (due to the rising fuel and food prices)," he said.
On the role of the MPI, Abdullah said it could become an institution of integrity and achieve international standard and capable of giving training to local media practitioners as well as those from Asean countries on journalism law and ethics.
At the function, Abdullah also launched the book entitled "Effective Writing In The Print, Electronic and Web Media" published by MPI.

tunku : how come you pak lah said that not his problem but our problem. you are the prime minister, it's your duty and your problem to solve issues and matters or any crisis.if you can't please resign. about the media reports, if you are doing right then why worry about what people write, just explain to people and show them the proof.i believe you can do that as you have all the super media with you.