Tuesday August 7, 2007
Straight answers to tough questions
NORAZIAN ABDUL RAHMAN reporting from Langkawi
JOURNALISTS found themselves on the other side of the table when leaders took the opportunity to bombard them with questions, ranging from ethics to what determines newsworthiness.
Leaders attending the dialogue demanded straight answers from a panel of journalists on what they perceived their role to be in nation building, poverty eradication and other matters.
The panellists – The Star group chief editor Michael Aeria, New Straits Times associate editor Rehman Rashid, acting Malaysian Press Institute chief executive Datuk Chamil Wariya, former journalist John Musukuma from Zambia and former BBC journalist Dr Andrew Taussig – knew they were in for a hard time and came well-prepared.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi led the session by asking the panel about the role the media played in eradicating poverty.
Aeria said the media should be considered partners not only by the Government but also by corporate entities and non-governmental organisations.
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Fielding queries: Abdullah (pictured left on the screen) and Lesotho Prime Minister Pakalitha Bethuel Mosisili (centre on screen) listening to Aeria (right on screen) responding to questions from the delegates. |
Aeria said the media provided a forum for discussions, adding it was not afraid to admit mistakes.
“There have been times when we have said we were wrong and provided the avenue for parties to tell their side of the story. It is also important to be constantly engaged with the media,” he added.
Musukuma, who is now media adviser to Zambian President Levy Patrick Mwanawasa, said the media was not a separate entity but was in fact part of the community.
“We are not outsiders. We are part of the community, part of society. There is no need for us to be embedded as we are already there. I believe there is a need to empower the media so we can do our job well. To do my job, I speak from the heart,” he said.
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