Journos must be allowed to ask questions, say media groups in response to Abu Zahar’s comments

PUTRAJAYA: Journalists should be allowed to ask questions to clarify matters rather than being accused of misreporting, say media groups.

Anti-Corruption Advisory Board (ACAB) chairman Tan Sri Abu Zahar Ujang had said how a press conference he held on Jan 5 was not "fully reported" by the media that it gave the public a "wrong perception" of what he wanted to present.

Press groups National Union of Journalist Malaysia (NUJ) and Gerakan Media Marah (Geramm) however said that Abu Zahar’s press conference on Jan 11 did not give an avenue for journalists to obtain a better portrayal of the situation.

"We humbly ask the ACAB chief to clearly state reports that did not accurately report what he said in the press conference.

"Regrettably, the ACAB chief did not allow questions for the Jan 11 press conference which did not help the media in getting more clarification on the matter.

"Having a clear, interactive and responsive press involvement is needed to ensure the transparency and accountability of such public institutions," said Geramm in a statement on Tuesday (Jan 11).

NUJ said the blame game should not be put on the press when things turn bad.

"If Tan Sri Abu Zahar feels that certain reports are not untrue or inaccurate, the NUJ is asking for him to point the error out.

"Journalists should be given full access to ask questions at press conferences so they can obtain clarification on any issue.

"Avoiding from answering media questions or preventing journalists from attending press conferences is denying the right to access information," said the union in a statement.

Abu Zahar held a second press conference in a week on the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki's share ownership controversy.

On Tuesday, the second press conference was a brief 15-minute affair where Abu Zahar read from a prepared text and did not take any questions from the press.