Teo Denies Govt News Agencies Banned Coverage On Sabah Opposition

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PARLIAMENT | The Communications and Digital Ministry has denied claims that government news agencies – RTM and Bernama – have been prohibited from giving coverage to opposition representatives as well as Umno MPs in Sabah.
Its deputy minister Teo Nie Ching clarified that the state news agencies have given fair coverage to all quarters including parliamentarians from the opposition bloc.
“A good example is in the by-elections in Pulai, Simpang Jeram, Pelangai, Jepak and Kemaman.
“Regarding coverage to Sabah Umno, RTM has given a total of 135 news coverage to events and activities by the party’s leaders from January to October,” she told the Dewan Rakyat during the winding-up speech of her ministry after MPs debated the Budget 2024 at the committee level.
She was responding to Suhaimi Nasir’s (BN-Libaran) claims that RTM was barred from providing coverage to opposition assemblypersons and parliamentarians in Sabah.
Suhaimi stressed that mainstream media platforms should not be politicised for anyone’s personal interests.
Shahidan Kassim (PN-Arau) also queried if the government plans to use RTM and Bernama to report and give news coverage to the opposition bloc.
Arau MP Shahidan KassimIn response, Teo said Bernama did provide coverage for the questions and debates involving Shahidan in the august house.
“Just recently, on Oct 25, in Petaling Jaya, Bernama also reported news about the Malaysia Athletics Federation, where Arau (Shahidan) is the president.
“These are evidence that RTM and Bernama will continue to provide balanced coverage to all quarters,” she added. - Mkini

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