Media In Malaysia Functions Freely, Says Bernama Deputy Editor-In-Chief

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 7 (Bernama) -- The cooperation between United Malays National Organisation (Umno) and the media in Malaysia is a symbiotic tie which is unique and rarely found in other developing countries, especially in countries which practice democracy, said Bernama deputy editor-in-chief Zulkefli Salleh. He said the close and continuous cooperation was often misconstrued by some parties so much so the mainstream media in the country was viewed as not being free, one sided and bowing to the government. "Strangely, we ourselves as media practitioners don't feel restricted and we're free to function as journalists and more so for our colleagues who write in cyberspace," he said in his speech representing the mass media during a dinner in appreciation of the media which covered the 2011 Umno General Assembly here, Friday. Zulkefli said some countries, especially those with a multi-racial community, failed to progress long after independence with some even in ruins due to media influence. "It is believed the media in those countries either directly or indirectly contribute or become an agent for conflict among the people," he said. "In the name of competition, they publish sensitive news which spark conflicts and sometimes cause bloodshed," he added. Commenting on the 2011 Umno General Assembly, he said it was the best ever organised by the Umno headquarters. He said the assembly witnessed another success by Umno when it upgraded security features by introducing access cards and headphones for the media who were covering the event. The following is the Umno 2011 Media Awards: Best News Report Category (Bahasa Malaysia) 1.Berita Harian - Umno Tiada Galang Ganti:TPM 2.Bernama - Pembangkang Hanya Pandai 'Berkokok' Tabur Fitnah, kata Najib 3.Utusan - Jadi orang Umno, Bukan Sekadar Ahli Umno - Najib Best Features Category (Bahasa Malaysia) 1.Berita Harian - Datuk Meor Kamarul Shahid - Selepas Perhimpunan Agung Umno 2.Utusan - Zulkifli Bakar - Memahami Perbezaan erti ahli Umno dan orang Umno 3.Bernama - Azeman Ariffin - Perwakilan Harus Lebih Fokus Berbahas Ucapan Presiden Best News Report Category (Other Languages) 1.Bernama - Umno May Field Many New Faces in Next Election - Najib 2.NST - Umno in Polls Mode 3.Kwong Way Yit Poh - Najib:Transformasi Rakyat, Umno Perlu Kerjasama Best Features Category (Other Languages) 1.Bernama - Mohamad Bakri Darus - Winnable Candidate and Loyalty, Widely Talked About 2.NST - Zubaidah Abu Bakar - Umno Youth Looking To Be Cool 3.Oriental Daily - Lum Chih Feng - Jangan Dipanjang Tempoh PRU Kelak Angka Undi Semakin Berubah Best News Video 1.TV3 - Nik Suriani Megat Deraman - Jurubahasa Sidang UMNO 2.Astro - Zaiful Ariffin 3.RTM - Berita Nasional - Solmi Ahmad Sofi Best Photo 1.The Star - Azhar Mahfof 2.Berita Harian - Affendy Rashid 3.Utusan - Aswad Yahya Best Political Blog Report 1. Mykmu.net - Ab. Jalil Aboobacker 2.Minda Intelek Melayu (novandri.blogspot.com) - Dr. Novandri Hasan Basri 3.Pisau.net - Megat Razie Special 2011 Political Journalism Award Zaini Hassan (Utusan) UMNO is Malaysia's largest political party; a founding member of the National Front coalition, which has played a dominant role in Malaysian politics since independence. The UMNO emphasizes as its foundation the struggle to uphold the aspirations of Malay nationalism and the dignity of race, religion and country. The party also aspires to protect the Malay culture as the national culture and to uphold, defend and expand Islam. -- BERNAMA