Helping to get local news across

WHEN it comes to highlighting their concerns to the authorities, the public often rely on the media to be their spokesperson.

This is especially true as positions in local authorities such as city mayors and council presidents are held by civil servants and since they are not elected, this arguably renders them less accountable to ratepayers.

Given this situation, journalists, who often communicate directly with officials, are seen as better able to channel public concerns.

It is a symbiotic relationship – while journalists obtain news for their respective publications, officials too gain insight into what the public want. That is the ideal scenario.

Unfortunately, some heads of local authorities have developed a habit of avoiding questions from the media.

When approached for comments at official functions, they are often ushered away by an army of secretaries intent on “protecting” their bosses from the media’s questions.

The reluctance of some heads of local authorities to meet the press is attributed by their subordinates to them being “media-shy” or wanting to be “low-key”.

These top officials should realise that facing the media is part of their job.

Ani (left), seen here with other volunteers cleaning up the Sungai Ampang riverbank, makes time to answer journalists’ questions which is part and parcel of serving ratepayers.

Various concerns about local governance crop up every day and journalists need to know how the top officials plan to deal with these issues.

We do not expect mayors and council presidents to turn into media personalities, but they should explain their actions.

By keeping silent, these officials can give the wrong impression.

To compound matters, some local authorities have taken to bypassing the traditional media completely.

Instead, they prefer to release statements on their social media accounts.

This may have been acceptable during the movement control order periods where physical meetings were discouraged but what is their excuse now?

Some may think it gives them more control over the narrative and may reduce the chance of being misquoted, but often these statements lack details.

However, some figures at local authorities deserve credit for making an effort to foster rapport with the media.

During her stint as the Hulu Langat district officer, Dr Ani Ahmad, who is now Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) president, was always available to reporters.

Several areas such as Kajang and Hulu Langat, which came under her supervision, were devastated during the 2021 floods.

Ani ensured that she was available to the media and explained the plans being made to deal with the aftermath of the floods.

During a press conference at MPAJ headquarters recently, she patiently fielded many questions from journalists on various issues in Ampang Jaya.

The media is not here to attack public officials. We are simply doing our job in trying to keep the public informed on matters that concern them. That’s all.