Media urged not to report sensitive issues

KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman has urged the media in the State not to report on sensitive racial and religious issues but focus more instead on disseminating accurate information on development and government policies.

“I wish to call on the media to refrain from reporting on racial and religious issues that could lead to disharmony,” he said in his speech delivered by Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister, Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun at the Kota Kinabalu Journalist Association Chinese New Year Luncheon here, yesterday.

“We know that race and religion are not issues for a state like Sabah, and even this gathering is testimony of our diversity. It is the responsibility of the media to uphold journalism ethics, especially in this fast paced Internet age,” he added.

The Chief Minister said he seeks cooperation from the media to continue highlighting information about government policies in a clear manner to tell more stories about the efforts by the government to create more growth for Sabah.

He said this was to counter claims made by the opposition, who are constantly twisting facts for their own agendas.

The members of the media, from the photographers to reporters and editors, play undeniably important roles when it comes to reporting about development, he said.

The media, he said, plays its own part in making sure that the public is aware about development projects and assists the government in ensuring the success of development policies aimed at bringing growth, prosperity, and closing regional and income gaps among the people.

In conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebration, Musa also reiterated that the State Government is always attentive to the needs of the Chinese community and all other groups, and it was best to bring up with the government any grouses they may have.

Meanwhile, Masidi said decision makers should be more open and be able to respond quickly to any information channelled to them, as shown by the Prime Minister and his Deputy when they responded to a message on Twitter about the poor condition of a school in Tuaran. (Borneo Post)