RTM Mandarin news only 80% back to normal, MP alleges

Teo Nie Ching says that contrary to the Speaker's claim that it was "running normally", visuals are back but not the news tickers.

KUALA LUMPUR: Teo Nie Ching (DAP-Kulai) has demanded that RTM Mandarin newsreaders be given “complete freedom” within their organisation to report the news as they see fit.

Speaking at a press conference in Parliament today, Teo stressed that the RTM Mandarin news was only “80 per cent back to normal.”

“The visuals are back, yes, but the news tickers are not back up,” Teo pointed out.

“It seems as if the staff in RTM Mandarin are working with their hands tied behind their back. I would like confirmation from the management of RTM on whether this is true.”

She also said it was important for news organisations to be given “complete freedom” as well as without it, they would be “rendered as mere robots.”

“The duty of the media is to report the news accurately. It is not their job to be plastic surgeons for Najib (Razak),” she said.

Last week, Teo submitted an emergency motion for Parliament to consider the alleged predicament RTM Mandarin newsreaders had found themselves in after being made to deliver the news without the usual breaks afforded by visuals.

This morning, Teo received a written reply by Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia stating that the RTM Mandarin news was back to “running normally.”