Government claims no interference in cancelled NTV7, TV2 shows

The government categorically denied today that either the Prime Minister’s Department or Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor had interfered in the management of broadcaster NTV7, thus leading to the resignation of a producer in April.

In responding to Chua Tian Chang’s (PKR-Batu) adjournment speech in Parliament tonight, Information, Communication and Culture Deputy Minister Datuk Joseph Salang said the allegation linking the department and the prime minister’s wife to the resignation of the station’s former producer Joshua Wong was “untrue and baseless”.

“On the contrary, it was an internal issue of the station whereby the producer refused to listen to the advice of his management on the station’s policy,” Joseph explained.

He claimed that NTV7 had received a public complaint that Wong’s show, “Editor’s Time”, was imbalanced, aired inappropriate topics and that its line of discussions touched on sensitive issues.

“As a media station, NTV7 has to take into account the views of the people besides following the law to avoid controversies that could affect public sentiment.

“Hence the station’s management discussed the issue with the producer but he decided not to abide by its policies and insisted on resigning,” Joseph said.

In April, Wong, an award-winning producer, resigned from the station, alleging “overzealous self-censorship and government interference” from the Prime Minister’s Department and Rosmah.

He claimed that he had been directed not to discuss political issues or invite opposition leaders on his show. He had also said that a special screening for the Hulu Selangor by-election, which was ongoing at the time, had been cancelled.

Joseph also denied that there were “political interferences” in the cancellation of the TV2 documentary “Galeri Mandarin Nasional” handled by producer Chou Z Lam, which was set to discuss the problems faced by the people over the Bakun dam issue.

“The cancellation of the documentary was also not linked to the Sibu by-election.

“The decision on the cancellation was purely professional for it had failed to abide by the guidelines of the TV2 station. Additionally, it also did not speak of the true purpose of the Bakun dam project and its benefits to the country,” he said.

Joseph said that according to the standard operating procedures on airing public programmes on television, the RTM was responsible in ensuring that the people received “balanced information” on government projects.

On the sudden termination of Chou after a second programme, this time on the construction of a high-tension tower in Rawang, Joseph explained that it was a step to “balance out” the number of staff working in the station.

“The hiring and termination of staff is according to proper procedures,” he said.

He further explained that the subsequent appointment of an MCA Youth member from Bera, Yap Chy Cuan, to “monitor” the Mandarin programmes aired on the channel was not “politically motivated”.

“His work as a politician does not clash with his work at the station. He is also a contract staff. His experience in journalism can improve the quality of the programmes aired,” he said.

At a press conference later, Chua slammed the deputy minister for his “unqualified” answer to the House.

He pointed out that after Wong had resigned from NTV7, the “Editor’s Time” talk show no longer invited opposition politicians for discussions.

“This is a clear indication that everything was politically motivated,” he said.

Chua also questioned the guidelines on what programmes could be aired on TV and urged the government to answer whether the guidelines meant that only information that supported the ruling government could be aired.

“Must these programmes only praise the government? Or can they present information of facts, not through political viewpoints but truly on the pros and cons of government projects?” he said.




comments


the government can deny all they want but every one knows that bn has been on denial mode at everything thrown at them by the opposition. should there be leaders who wish to be a little more transparent, they will be removed like how the former mca president was; for trying to bring the culprits in the pkfz scandal to light.

If it is not politically motivated, then what? We Malaysians are not stupid. ANd don't treat us like one.

Don't they think their denial comes way, way too late. just like the dissociation with Perkasa. UMNO just can't get it right because everything from UMNO is a work of APCO puboic relations.

All hot air, nothing of substance.

Najib and his 1Malaysia and NEW which have become very quiet now. Wonder what next?

After spending millions of tax-payers money to glorify Rosmah in a full page, colour advertisement in the New York Times, you expect us to buy your denial? We are not stupid