Charter 2000 Media Statement
Mainstream media must be fair in reporting on by-election campaign
His reminder is nothing new and is likely to pass unheeded. The principles he mentioned are of course essential for media credibility. But we regret that they are not being put into practice by the mainstream media. Their coverage of the ongoing Indera Kayangan by-election campaign, for instance, has been totally biased, one-sided and unjust.
The media, both print and electronic, have shamelessly ignored their social obligation to report fairly and truthfully. Their use of information and communications technology (ICT) and state-of-the-art printing facilities certainly cannot compensate for their lack of credibility and fairness in reporting.
Sufficient space must be given to views and opinions that also represent the interests and concerns of 'diverse social and political backgrounds'.
We demand that the mainstream media provide fair and balanced coverage of the Indera Kayangan by-election campaign. The media must report fairly not only on the Barisan Nasional's campaign but also on the opposition's. Only in this way can the playing field be considered level.
Television stations too must avoid biased and distorted coverage of events. Local television stations must stop distorting what the opposition stands for. They must also stop showing the clip that mischievously associates the Taliban of Afghanistan with the Malaysian political opposition.
The media should stop mocking the intelligence of ordinary citizens through the use of crass propaganda that reveals a mentality that is vehemently opposed to fairplay and justice.
Joint coordinators
| |||||||||||||||
Charter 2000, a Malaysian citizens' media initiative, takes note of Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi's reminder to the local media of the importance of 'integrity, honesty and fairness' in their coverage of current developments.