KUALA LUMPUR: Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor says he has not decided yet on whether the media will be allowed to cover the upcoming Umno general assembly.
He also denied reports claiming that there would be a ‘media blackout’ of the event.
“When they asked me this morning (on media coverage), I only said that it has yet to be decided on. No one said anything about a media blackout,” he said.
Tengku Adnan said access for media coverage would depend on the media’s conduct in their reporting.
He said by opening up access for all media agencies, it would enable some to practice selective reporting and ‘spin’ issues.
“If you behave yourself, I can behave myself too, and then I can open it up to all of you,” he said.
Pressed on what he meant by “spin”, Tengku Adnan clarified that some politicians could veer off topic when speaking in public, and this would be capitalised on by some media.
He said this could lead to tension, and they hoped to avoid that.
Earlier today, Tengku Adnan had said the assembly, which will be held next month, would be a closed-door affair and off limits to the media.
He said the media would not be allowed in the vicinity of the assembly proceedings and that it would not be broadcast live at the venue. This, he said, was to ensure that the media would not ‘spin’ or misinterpret the news.
Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi earlier today said he was in the dark over a directive to limit media coverage for the upcoming assembly.
Zahid said he would speak to Tengku Adnan on the matter.