How the gov't can deal with the media - and look good doing it

A question for government leaders: Are reporters always disregarding your work at government events and asking instead for press conferences on unrelated matters, or invading your personal space by trapping you in a huddle so they can ask questions?

While banning the media - especially the ones that ask too many questions - like Malaysiakini - may seem favourable, there is actually a better way to deal with the press that will make the government look good.

Observe the Bundaspresskonferenz (federal press conference), a special meeting between reporters and German government representatives in Berlin, which takes place three times a week.

Every German federal ministry sends its spokesperson to these press conferences, to talk with journalists and give them updates on what is new, such as decisions made by the cabinet.

The journalists in turn get to do their jobs and ask questions, and get the government's views on current issues.

This German tradition has been on going for seven decades, and makes the government look transparent and accountable.

The best part about the Bundapresskonferenz is that it is completely organised by the media, with reporters paying annual membership fees to keep operations going.

This means that the government doesn't have to spend a cent on this public relations exercise.

All it needs to do is to show up and answer the questions raised.

Promoting openness

But what if members of the press raise tough or difficult questions, you ask?

Well, if no answer is available, then there are acceptable replies such as "no comment", or "we are not at liberty to discuss that" - but be warned that the overuse of such replies will lead to negative perception.

Some ministries aren't even asked questions during a press conference lasting one hour.

However, emphasis is placed on every ministry showing up and making itself available to questioning.

"It would be very weird if someone who was invited did not attend," a journalist who moderated the German press conference on March 29 told guests who had come to observe the event.

So how can this work in Malaysia?

Well this can start small, with the media jointly organising a press conference once a week, perhaps after the weekly cabinet meeting.

Ministries can send out their chief secretaries, or deputy ministers as spokespersons.

However, it would look good for the government if the ministers themselves, and even the prime minister, show up once in a while.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel attends the Bundaspresskonferenz at least twice a year. And we want to be as good as, or better than the Germans, right?

If sufficient answers are given during these press conferences, it may increase the likelihood that reporters attending government events are actually reporting about the government's good work, instead of being distracted by other issues.

Reporters may also feel less compelled to ambush ministers, as well as less likely to bother them on their phones.

This could even mean that the comfort ministers currently enjoy in the Parliament lobby may be extended voluntarily by the media to almost every government function.

Self-regulation

Another German media practice that would be good for our government is to let the media police themselves.

The Germans do this through a National Press Council that is completely made up of the media, with no government participation.

The council abides by a strict "press code" that ensures the highest journalistic standards are adhered to by the media.

This code includes measures to deal with racism and religious hatred, as well as protecting the dignity of individuals.

If the government, politicians, or members of the public are upset with the media, they can lodge a complaint with the council - which will deal with the matter in an independent fashion.

So, if someone misreports news, or publishes an unflattering cartoon, the media will deal with it themselves, and issue reprimands to those who break the code - meaning there is also less work for the government.

Deregulating control of the media will also free up government funds to carry out projects that will benefit the people.

German reporters describe their country as a "media paradise", but that doesn't mean their practices can't make life good for the government too.

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ZIKRI KAMARULZAMAN is a member of the Malaysiakini team. He recently went on a study trip on media freedom and related issues in Germany.- Mkini