Kudos to NST for opposition interview, but...

The New Sunday Times should be commended for running a full-page interview of DAP’s Lim Kit Siang on 9 May. The interview, conducted by the paper’s Balan Moses, who reportedly first met Lim 25 years ago, was presented in a Q&A format. Kudos, NST!

It is now several days since the interview and Malaysia is none the worse for the major mainstream paper providing ample space to an opposition member (who presumably will resume his role as Mr. Opposition in parliament when it convenes again later this month, the first sitting since last month’s election).

The only thing that somewhat loused up the generous spirit of the paper was the way it called readers’ attention to the interview on page 4. Like other papers, NST highlights on its front page, either below or above the masthead, some of the articles found in its inside pages. The Kit Siang interview was prominently highlighted on the front page of that day’s paper. Problem is, it uses only a part of the quote from Kit Siang, i.e., “We’ll be responsible”. That surely gives an unfair negative connotation that the DAP was not responsible before.

True, that phrase was part of what Lim said in the interview. But the fuller quote was “We’ll be responsible, responsive”, which was actually the title used with the piece on page 4.

Too long to use “We’ll be responsible, responsive” on the front-page highlight? If so, why not “We’ll be responsive” instead?

Two more questions Why couldn’t such coverage be given during the election campaign in March, when the public sorely needed adequate information to help them in making an informed choice at the polls?

And can we expect more such coverage of the opposition in the near future? Surely, we have enough members of the opposition to go around. How about Wan Azizah Wan Ismail of Keadilan and Karpal Singh of the DAP before moving on to less well-known opposition members like the DAP’s Teresa Kok, Fong Po Kuan and Chong Eng? And a couple of PAS leaders for good measure.

Or was the generous spread on Lim’s interview just a one-off deal and we now go back to only generous BN coverage as usual?

Blog visitor Anonymous wasn't happy with our comments:

"I have just checked the NST highlights on its front page of 9 May. I cannot see the words "We'll be responsible." What I see above the masthead is a 2" x 3.5" box with a picture of Lim Kit Siang and the words, "Kit Siang Speaks Up." I wonder whether NST has more than one version.

"I think we should commend Abdullah Badawi and NST for its efforts to allow a feature on the Opposition Leader in the mainstream newspaper, something that was unthinkable under Mahathir's rule. I believe UMNO, under Abdullah, is slowly opening up and we should do well to cheer them for its maiden efforts.

"If we continue to gripe, we may just discourage the government, should it feel that its initial efforts are not appreciated. Governments are run by real people, not gods. They have feelings too, just like any other people.

"How would you encourage a person, whether he be an employee, a spouse or a child, to perform better? By complaining, and saying "Not enough! Not enough! More! More!" or do you encourage them by complimenting them for whatever little they have done in the right direction? Do you think NST will be encouraged if its "Letters to the Editor" section is flooded with compliments from the general public for featuring the Lim Kit Siang interview and requesting more of the same? Do you think that the government will likewise be encouraged if it receives recognition and compliments for its new openness? On the other hand, what would you think would happen if the newspaper receives numerous responses that are similar in tone to yours?

"With your attitude, I can assure you that this would be a one-time deal if I was the government, thereby fulfilling your prophesy!"

Phew, what do others think? Just click on the "Comments" link to post your comments.