THE general election is two weeks away and media plays an important “watchdog” role, especially for fence-sitters. Not much can be done for diehard supporters.

Apart from reporting on developments of election campaigns, the media should educate voters on how to exercise their democratic rights by providing a platform for political parties and candidates to communicate their messages.

The public should also be given space to communicate their concerns, needs and opinions and to interact on these issues.

In the meantime, people should avoid inflammatory language and election-related violence.

Debates should be encouraged. I am utterly surprised the caretaker prime minister said we do not have a “culture” of seeing nominees debate in public.

Shouldn’t we start one? We want to listen to and evaluate the capabilities of the person who is going to lead our country for five years and represent us on the international stage.

Media should also help scrutinise the Election Commission (EC) and electoral processes to ensure an efficient, transparent and fair election, based on the Federal Constitution and laws, to strengthen trust and of course, to hold the EC accountable.

After the elections, the media should monitor vote counting and report results without delay.

Above all, its impartiality and objectivity – especially that of national media organisations – will be put to the test because it has significant impact on public opinion and way of thinking and is at times manipulated.

Its basic role is to enlighten and educate the public, and act as a neutral objective platform.

For that to happen, there should be complete media access and coverage of elections.

Media ownership plays a big part on coverage. Taxpayer-funded or public media tend to favour incumbents, even though strictly they should act independently of any political body.

Privately owned outlets may be independent but will still serve the political interests of their owners.

The bottom line is: high-quality content with originality, relevance and engagement. We have had enough fake news on social media.

For that to happen, we need high quality journalists, television and radio hosts, of which we are currently lacking.

An outstanding journalist or host will put research before any political or corporate influence.

Aside from news sense and analytical skills, they should prepare difficult questions and be persistent with discipline like a dog with a bone, not letting go until they have chewed all the meat.

The risk of upsetting people, while painful, will gain respect.

The rule is to be polite but persistent and do it professionally. Be impartial, transparent, driven by higher value and bent but not broken.

The cost for seeking truth includes being blacklisted or banned for questioning the official line, ie curiosity killed the cat.

We have seen ministers harassing and intimidating journalists, who have a fundamental duty to ask questions of public interest.

Ministers have the moral responsibility to answer to avoid being misquoted, which is the usual excuse.

I do wish candidates for the election are mature and professional enough. If elected, they will be our representatives and those made ministers will carry a heavy duty to create a path towards stability, prosperity and, of course, social harmony.

Further, I do hope from this election, we can produce an outstanding journalist or a few of them that merit international recognition.

God willing, Maju Malaysia and let us pray for a better future for all.

What say you? – November 5, 2022.

* Saleh Mohammed reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.