Journalists’ role is to ask tough questions, says think tank

[superadmin]

PETALING JAYA: The most important role of journalists is to ask tough and relevant questions and it is the duty of politicians to answer as honestly and clearly as possible, according to a think tank.

Emir Research CEO and president Rais Hussin said journalists play a role and function in holding politicians to account and complement the check-and-balance dynamics in the political system.

“This is why for politicians to be abrasive and disrespectful towards journalists is most uncalled for. In a multi-party democracy, politicians from all sides of the divide depend on journalists to highlight issues and cases on their behalf.

“They must, therefore, adapt to a culture and norm in which difficult and challenging questions posed by journalists are to be expected and, indeed, to be welcomed.

- More -