Malaysian Govt To Assist Training Of Journalists Covering Strife-Torn Countries

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 14 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian government is ready to assist the media in providing safety training for journalists, photographers and cameramen covering strife-torn countries, the Lower House of Parliament was told Monday. Deputy Information Communication and Culture Minister Joseph Salang Gandum said simultaneously media organisations should institute the Standard Operating Procedures to cope with such coverage. Media organisations should also provide safety equipment such as vests, steel helmets, life jackets, gas masks and camping outfit to reporters, photographers and cameramen covering dangerous zones, he said when responding to a question from Charles Anthony Santiago, a member of Parliament. Salang said the training would not be made compulsory but media practitioners would be encouraged to join it so that they would be better prepared and minimise the risks when covering dangerous areas. -- BERNAMA