Allowing greater press freedom major aspect of reform by ministry: Gobind (Updated)

KUALA LUMPUR: Allowing greater press freedom is a major aspect of the reform that the Communications and Multimedia Ministry will undertake, said the new minister, Gobind Singh Deo.
He said the media in the country should be allowed greater freedom in its coverage and also in its criticism of the government.
"The media is the voice of the people and the government should be prepared to accept criticism for us to be able to undertake reform," he said in an exclusive interview with Bernama Radio here today.
Gobind Singh was on his maiden visit to the Malaysian National News Agency, Bernama. He was appointed the Communications and Multimedia Minister on May 21.
Gobind Singh said that although the media was allowed greater freedom, the government would ensure that it adhered to the laws.
"The focus must be on the people being given room to express their views, including from the other side (opposition), so that the people can make their own evaluation," he said.
He said the government would also strive to upgrade the infrastructure of the media agencies in the country to enable them to compete with the international media.
"We have to ensure that there is adequate infrastructure to compete with the international media such as CNN. We have to also focus our efforts to enable our media to attract viewers. We will strive towards that," he said.
Gobind Singh gave the assurance that he would always have an ear for the complaints and views of the media practitioners in the effort to reform and develop the media in the country.
"A week ago, I met with the staff of the ministry and they were delighted over the reform that we will undertake. I gave the assurance that I will listen to their grouses to ensure that the ministry moves forward," he said. — Bernama