Political parties should stay away from owning media companies in order to strengthen the quality of journalism in Malaysia, according to Minister of Communications and Multimedia Gobind Singh Deo.

“I have always been clear on this — we should avoid ownership of media by political parties but of course the decision to outlaw it has to be decided by this government,” he said during his opening remarks at the Think Media with Google — News Publisher and Advertiser Summit here today.

Gobind said the current government is committed to support and cooperate with all stakeholders to ensure a more conducive environment for media practitioners.

“As the government that respects freedom of information and expression, we not only expect high standards from all vested interest stakeholders, but it must come with a heavy responsibility to propagate credible news and information,” he said.

http://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/political-parties-should-not-own-media-companies-says-minister