Private television station ntv7 has denied claims made by the DAP of a directive to censor comments from the opposition parties in its news broadcasts.

"I can tell you, there is no such directive," a top network source told malaysiakini when contacted.

"Also, our prime time news period is also too short (30 minutes) and it's impossible to air everything," explained the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

"Then again, all media reporters have their guidelines on what to write and what not to write, so it's the same for our news desk. In the final analysis, it depends on what the politicians are saying," he added.

Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai told a press conference yesterday that he has received feedback from a reliable TV source of such a directive to the media to stop airing comments from opposition parties.

Political discrimination

"This is a black mark on the press, so the matters should be seriously reviewed," he said.

The DAP parliamentarian said the directive tantamount to political discrimination against opposition parties.

Meanwhile, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng described the directive as the "beginning of dirty things to come."

This will add pressure to the opposition with the elections around the corner, he said.

"This is a sad thing as the general election is a very important event - a time to elect our leaders," he said.

This would not bring about a free, fair and transparent election, Lim added.