MINISTERS and government officials must stop pointing fingers at the media to deflect blame for their own shortcomings or lapses, national journalism laureate Johan Jaaffar said.

He said it is crucial for government officials, particularly ministers, to acknowledge their own oversights and mistakes, rather than resort to accusations against the media.

“I urge ministers to stop blaming the media when things go south or not in their favour,” he said in a statement.

“Please stop blaming the messenger. Do not condemn the media to avoid blame for their own missteps, oversights and mistakes.

Johan said recent commotions in Malaysia were caused by irresponsible politicians, not the media.

He said the current spike in racial tensions was the result of politicians “fanning flames for their own insidious purpose”.

He was particularly peeved with National Unity Minister Aaron Ago Dagang, who recently accused the media of “deliberately wanting to fan flames” on sensitive issues, particularly related to race and religion.

Johan said he found it “totally unacceptable” for the minister to make such an accusation and called on him to be more responsible in his remarks.

“I am appalled that he issued a stern warning to media practitioners to quit acting like instigators, asserting that ‘it’s enough’,” he said.

“He (Aaron Ago) is certainly barking up the wrong tree. The fact is, Malaysian media has been exercising utmost restraint in handling matters pertaining to race relations.

“The (media) practitioners understand their role in a multiracial and multiethnic Malaysia.

“While they uphold the freedom of the media and strongly believe that a free press is the bedrock of a functioning democracy, they are responsible enough to avoid creating discord among the races.” – March 23, 2023.