Johan Jaaffar regretted Fahmi Fadzil’s criticism of BH’s report
KUALA LUMPUR: National Journalist figure, Tan Sri Johan Jaaffar, regretted the actions of the Minister of Communications and Digital, Fahmi Fadzil who criticized the Facebook post of Berita Harian ( BH ) regarding the expected increase in the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR).
According to Johan, the report’s claim of fraud and slander by Fahmi, who is also the minister responsible for the media and as the government spokesperson, is completely inappropriate and irresponsible.
“He should also understand that the report quotes analysts’ views and predictions.
“This is a common practice in business and transaction news reports as well as the views of political analysts being quoted for the purpose of news or current political reports,” said Johan in a statement issued on Saturday.
The former Editor-in-Chief of Utusan Melayu commented on Fahmi’s actions which slammed BH’s analysis report dated March 30 on OPR due to the existence of confusion to the point of widespread slander.
Johan said, in a country that practices democracy, all views, whether supporting or opposing the government should be given a place.
In fact, Johan in his statement also asserted that media channels are not official government portals or pamphlets.
What Johan also regrets, the statement issued by Fahmi has also indirectly instilled public distrust in the media and affected the good name of the local media.
At the same time, Johan reminded the minister who once pledged and promised that the media would be free to report within the existing legal framework.
“I am also disappointed that previously the minister in question jumped on the Perpaduan Government’s perception and score report made by the five mainstream media.
“I see an unhealthy tendency when some ministers dispute media reports that are not on their side.
“I think this happened because the ministers in question are not mature enough to deal with media issues,” emphasized Johan again.
Fahmi’s action in criticizing the BH report was also protested by the National Union of Malaysian Journalists (NUJM).
According to NUJM, it is the practice of the media around the world to broadcast news based on the opinions and projections of industry experts.
“As the minister responsible for the media, Fahmi should be more sensitive to the practices and working methods of the local media.
“His actions not only affected the BH report, but the comments written by calling the report ‘slander and lies’ have created a negative perception among readers towards the media,” said NUJM President, Farah Marshita Abdul Patah in a statement issued on Friday.
Following the criticism, Fahmi held a meeting with the BH Group Editor , Datuk Ahmad Zaini Kamaruzzaman and the top management of Media Prima Berhad.
“Actually the article just quoted an analyst’s opinion, and I have no problem with this report.
“But the FB post is much different because it gives the impression as if the Bank Negara or the Government has made a decision. This is not true and unfair to the Bank Negara and the Government.
“BH management understands what I mean in this regard and has agreed to correct the post ,” he explained.
