Shafie promises media freedom in Sabah

KOTA KINABALU: The media in Sabah will be open and unfettered, says Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.

Under the new state government’s policy on open media, Shafie said he wants the media to play its role as a watchdog and voice for the grassroots.

“It will be open. Media should be allowed to have that sort of approach where they don't just focus on sounding out political ideologies but look more into becoming a voice for the people.

“Even if what the people are saying is bitter for the government to hear, the media must do its part and air their views,” Shafie told reporters after launching
the RTM Jelajah Ramadan programme at the Communication and Multimedia Ministry
here Friday (May 25).

Earlier in his speech, Shafie, who is leading the Pakatan Harapan-Parti Warisan Sabah state government, said he had spoken to Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo on the need for government-owned media to undergo reform.

Shafie said government-owned media must step away from being mouthpieces and focus more on being the voice of the people as the Malaysian Government has changed.

“I told Gobind that I feel reform must be done. If government media want to be seen as an open channel, it is crucial for them to be the voice of the people,” he said.

Shafie added that the media has the power to shape people’s minds and urged pressmen to play their roles responsibly in helping the people air their views.