Analyst sees 'govt in fear' amid questions on media freedom

An analyst says the communications and media management of the government led by Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional (BN) appears to be in a state of confusion following the recent cancellations and purported blocking of opposition events on local television broadcasts. 

Speaking to MalaysiaNow, Abd Aziz Azizam said the developments gave the impression of an administration in fear. 

He said the parties in the current coalition government, during their time in the opposition, had often spoken out against media control by the administration.

"But when they receive the mandate to form the government, they do not appear to follow the same aspirations they held to then," Aziz, a lecturer at Universiti Teknologi Mara, added. 

The government was recently questioned by opposition pact Perikatan Nasional (PN), whose April 21 slot for the recital of the takbir for Aidilfitri on TV3 was cancelled at the last minute.

Calling the cancellation an unprofessional decision and breach of contract, PN said TV3 and the communications and digital ministry led by Fahmi Fadzil should come clean and deny any political interference to sabotage the opposition's Hari Raya message to the people.

Aziz said government control of the media could be understood in two scenarios. 

Firstly, he said, when the government in question is truly stable with strong support at the polls. 

In such a situation, he said, the media would carry out its function by conveying national aspirations clearly and firmly, based on the guaranteed stability of the government. 

"This happened during Dr Mahathir Mohamad's first tenure as prime minister but is frequently misinterpreted by political observers as the government controlling the media," he said. 

"This should be seen in a fairer context." 

Mahathir, who led the country for 22 years during his first stint in office, was often criticised for controlling the media, with many activities by his then party Umno and its umbrella coalition BN given prominence in television and radio broadcasts by state-owned entities such as RTM and Bernama. 
 
Umno's annual general assembly in Kuala Lumpur, for example, would be broadcast on television for several days in addition to a video clip featuring him almost every hour on RTM.

Airtime for opposition leaders, meanwhile, was rare or unheard of. 

Aziz said the second situation revolved around a government that lacked strong support and which needed a "communications force" to help convey a good impression to the people.

"That is by controlling the media," he added. 

He opined that the current situation was more comparable with the second situation, pointing to the rhetoric issued by the government which he said might only push the people away from its aspirations for the country.

"Small things like the takbir raya and restrictions on individuals outside of any political context reflect weaknesses in the administration," he said. 

"Will such acts rally more support for the government?"
 
Analyst James Chin meanwhile said that many were unclear about the discussion on media freedom.

He said broadcasting stations such as RTM were state-owned and would never be free media entities, adding that their purpose was to prioritise the policies and wishes of the current government.
 
"So using RTM as an example of media freedom is not only a bad idea, but also incorrect.

"Look at RTM as an organisation that is also part of the ministry and government department," Chin, who is based in Australia, added. 

"They are supposed to reflect government policies and government views. If you ask whether the media is under threat under the unity government, my answer is no."