THE special press conference by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to clear its name amid worsening public perception and outcries in response to the resignation and exposé by political economist Prof Edmund Terence Gomez was simply botched by every measure.
While the nation gave the benefit of doubt to the country’s soul vanguard of anti-corruption to come forward with the truth and nothing but the whole truth, MACC’s press relations fouled up every sacrosanct rule in media relations.
According to The Vibes’ report, “the handling of the press conference was a complete disaster”.
MACC discriminated against the media. It chose to wilfully not invite several media channels for its own “tell-all” presser. And despite the fact that the MACC venue for the press conference is built for a 300-person crowd and can easily seat 150 people under strict SOP conditions, only 40 selectively admitted media personnel were given access to the much-awaited press conference.
This is nothing new. Many a time have we heard how politicians and government heads practise media discrimination, allowing only “friendly” media to cover their pressers.
But when a sacrosanct, honourable vanguard institution charged with the responsibility of saving the good name and future of the nation by battling victoriously against corruption in the country without fear, favour or selective justification chooses to ape politicians’ warped media relations practices, one cannot easily forgive MACC.
The fundamental logic is when you have truth – the absolute truth – on your side, you need not fear any media. And even if the media for some unknown remotely controlled reason reports unfoundedly, you can whack the daylights out of them through the courts of justice and stand to gain increased support from the public.
But time and again we witness this foolish, Malaysian practice of shutting the gates on media that one deems “unfriendly” or “biased” or even “an enemy”.
These people never learn that whether you invite or slam the doors on some media or are happy with those that appear obligated to you, news still gets reported by all media.
The lesson here is: don’t discriminate against the media the way our politicians discriminate based on race and religion to wrest power and gain control.
Today’s media is not confined or walled within the traditional media sphere. All the archaic, Machiavellian laws cannot imprison nor obliterate the voice of journalism.
Society is evolving and moving fast from the industrial age to the information age, and is entering the artificial intelligence (AI) stage. Gatekeeping, discriminating or even enlisting a bandwagon of friendly, patronising and obliged media to your side is akin to the ostrich syndrome – burying your head in the sand.
Only truth can be your sole armour and reliable defence till the end.
The MACC may think that it has successfully nailed a whistle-blower. On the contrary, social media is rife and overflowing with a reputation disaster for MACC.
When MACC fails, our nation’s good name, image and reputation fails. In a battle like this, wisdom must prevail. But wisdom is the servant of truth.
Do our leaders and the government think that we can risk the country’s global reputation and standing any further? Especially when courts are hauling in so many corruption cases involving people in high places and still need to resolve past crimes, including the Altantuya murder?
Let it also be apparent to the powers that be that when MACC’s reputation is tarnished in the public eye, your saintly silence will eventually hold you accountable for the sins of omission.
When will our lords, masters and anointed cronies ever learn that discriminating against the media in order to keep the sugarcoating on your pressers intact will never pass the test of time?
The passport to securing public support is integrity, transparency and accountability. In other words, speak the truth and no media will risk shooting themselves in the foot. – The Vibes, January 7, 2022
The writer is a reader of The Vibes
