THE media has more freedom today than during the previous government’s rule, said Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said research he carried out for his doctorate’s dissertation, in which he studied the contents of Berita Harian and Utusan Malaysia, showed that reports on the five general elections held during the tenure of the longest-serving prime minister had been set by “that person”.

“What happened then was either agreed or disagreed to by media practitioners. The setting (of news) was not fully up to media owners at that time… it was set by ‘that person’,” he said at the Berita Harian National Day Showcase at KL Sentral.

Despite not mentioning names, it was clear that the home minister was taking a jab at Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who ruled the country for 22 years.

Zahid there was more room for freedom in reporting now compared with back then.

“We can see the difference in the freedom in news reporting, which got better after his governance, without limitations, and with the absence of an agenda.

“Times have changed. We have to acknowledge that this era is better than when we were under ‘the age of power’.”

He said the truth should be the main component in news reporting, and that news aimed at confusing readers should be sidelined.

He said journalism ethics practised by the traditional media had been overshadowed by unethical journalists who reported news with a set agenda.

“For me, no matter where we are, whether we want to interpret the freedom to think or freedom to voice our opinion, ethics (in reporting) should be upheld.

“Do not do things recklessly, especially interpreting anger in the form of writing, which could end up destroying the nation.”

He urged government-linked companies to support the “moderate” media in terms of advertising.

“They cannot only depend on buyers… and there is the moderate media that practises moderation in its approach.” – August 21, 2017.