‘Opposition already has access to media’

The new communications and multimedia minister, Ahmad Shabery Cheek, rubbished claims the opposition has restricted access to the media.

PUTRAJAYA: Communications and Multimedia minister, Ahmad Shabery Cheek, today denied that the opposition had limited access to the media, despite numerous reports pointing to the contrary.

The newly minted minister said the opposition was able to freely penetrate the “new media”, which he claimed was able to reach all Malaysians “as a result of the governments’ efforts”.

“Freedom of speech exists and is practiced. It may not be complete, but at lease the basics are there, and this should be appreciated,” said Ahmad Shabery at a press conference here after taking over the ministership from Rais Yatim.

But when a reporter pointed out that DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang had complained of several websites, including DAP’s, being blocked during elections, the minister said he was unaware of this.

However, Ahmad Shabery tried to justify the alleged censorship by pointing out that even file-sharing video site YouTube filtered its contents.

“I don’t know why [Lim’s website] was blocked, but even YouTube automatically blocks its videos based on reports it receives. This is part of its normal rules and regulations.

“Google has its own censorship, so are we saying Google is not free?” he said.

He also refused to state whether his ministry would allow state-owned media to provide balanced coverage to the opposition when asked by reporters.

Dodging the question entirely, Ahmad Shabery said: “To me, it is not a matter of government or opposition.

“If the concept of freedom of information is seen only as the mainstream media providing more coverage to government leaders as opposed to opposition leaders, for example, this is not fair, not true.”

He said that under his ministership, state-owned media would move away from politicians and focus more on the rakyat.

“It won’t just be about leaders against leaders, but about the rakyat – artistes, the chief villagers…. We must pay attention to this.”

Ahmad Shabery said he would also look into airing the live coverage of the question-and-answer sessions in parliament.