Zam Calls For 'Balanced' Reporting On Crime.

There he goes again, the man who has all the qualities to be an 'efficient' junta leader. Information Minister Datuk Seri Zainuddin Maidin called on the media to provide 'balanced reporting' on crime and not to be inclined towards highlighting any weakness of the police solely to garner profits.

He said the media should help to enhance understanding among the people on the importance of the police force in maintaining peace and security in the country. (Of course we know the importance of the police. But does the police force know that, as well as their responsibilities to citizens?)

"In the presentation of crime news, we should not be driven by the intention to raise viewership and market ratings by publishing gory pictures," he told reporters. Zainuddin said the practice of a few newspapers in publishing 'gory pictures' would eventually make it something routine that happens in the country.

"The primary objective of any news should be to convince the people that the police were capable of handling criminal cases. This is not empty talk because the police have successfully resolved many big criminal cases," he said.

He also said that RTM would launch a community interaction programme with the police in the "Selamat Pagi Malaysia" slot and over radio, involving police officers at the federal and state levels. He said the programme would help raise awareness of the people towards the importance of the Royal Malaysia Police in maintaining national security.

Since when was it the duty of the media to convince the public of something that they are quite capable of making their own decisions on? If the police behave and act responsibly why should the public not trust them, or worse have an intense dislike for? If acts of corruption are denied and buried do you think that the average Joe is going to change his opinion? As it is our media itself has little credibility and why jeopardize even that by hiding police brutality and wrongdoing.

I don't know what Lord Zam means by 'gory' pictures. If they are photos or shots of human beings who have been beaten to pulp by police thugs under the guise of 'interrogation', I say publish more of these so-called gory pictures. If it is a horrendous scene of suspected criminals shot to pieces and laying dead inside a bullet-ridden vehicle, publish it. It will serve as a deterrent and warning to potential criminals. Strange how sometimes you have photos of these very dead people with multiple bullet wounds in cars/vans etc and the report states that the 'criminals' started shooting at the police and the cops 'returned fire' killing all the crooks instantly. Is Zam worried that some might interpret such photos as executions carried out by the police? Or perhaps Zam is apprehensive that pictures of foreign women doing 'nude squats' at our police stations may tarnish their image and therefore such scenes should be classified as gory pictures and banned!

It is not the duty of the media to put anyone on a pedestal especially when they don't deserve it. If they do wish to exercise reasonable discretion and commonsense in playing down or censoring something, it is calls such as that of Lord Zam which should not see the light of day.

Earlier related posts:
1) There He Goes Again, And Again and Again...
2) This Is The Only Kind Of News That Zainuddin Maidin Wants Published.
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