'What media blackout?' says Najib

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today said it was essential for the government to provide information to the rakyat rather than to black it out, as it would only prompt them to seek it from alternative sources.

"Before, when needed, people would get information from a few official sources but today there are several sources channeling information that is accessible.

"If we do not give certain information, they will get the information from other sources," he said at the launch of 1Malaysia TV in Kuala Lumpur today.

The PM said the government had no choice but to fulfill the people's information demand.

"When there exists such a vacuum, the vacuum will be filled by other sources that are sometimes tampered with fabricated stories including false and defamatory information.

"That means we do not have an option exception to provife the rakyat with swift and accurate information."

The premier urged politicians and public administrators to engage the rakyat through social media in overcoming the high demand for information.

Press freedom ‘nosediving’

Yesterday, opposition MP Lim Kit Siang complained of a media blackout in BN-linked press over several major issues.

The DAP veteran said the mainstream media had failed to report on major stories such as Malaysia’s top five position in terms of illicit capital flight, and corruption allegations against Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud and his family.

"With the egregious 'blackout' of unfavourable news by the BN media as happened blatantly in the past three days, Malaysia's press freedom index is set to nosedive further in future - as if Malaysia's press freedom index is not bad enough," said Lim.

Meanwhile at the launch of 1Malaysia TV today, Najib's wife Rosmah Mansor received a surprise birthday greeting from the event organisers, who presented her a cake and sang "Happy Birthday".

1Malaysia TV is the country's latest internet and mobile TV network that provides several specialised channels on top of existing free to air channels.

It is accessible via smart phones and tablet computers such as iPhone, iPad, Blackberry and Android.

The network is owned by 1mediaiptv Sdn Bhd and marks the the 1Malaysia brand’s latest foray on the internet.