Indeed the DG has put back the saving grace for a battered image of Malaysia in the eyes of media reporting and in social media. Hopefully some of our politicians can quickly master the strategies and techniques. Of course that will demand a high degree of humility and a mindset for continuing learning.

Ibrahim not only articulated in a reasonable tone the government’s concerns over the various media reporting on the MH370's tragic disappearance, but his ability to be firm yet gentle speaks well of capitalising on the Asian tradition of approaching a sensitive matter at hand.

In a crisis like that of MH370 which will undoubtedly attract both local and global interest, control is not the right spanner to make a check and balance on media. Likewise, threats of legal suits are the wrong whips to crack as it is a premature and unwarranted remedy when you are in the thick of an unresolved crisis.

What is right and effective is focussing on clarifications and an intent to educate the media without sounding haughty nor malicious or retaliating.

The approach taken by the director-general of Information as he gave the interview with foreign media should go down well with any media that operates on the age old cardinal principles of responsible and balanced reporting.

Even those who may have steered towards sensation-news making in the interest of increasing circulation or viewership should be able to accept the clarifications and concerns expressed by the director-general of Information.

He demonstrated very well on how to take on the media without sounding hostile, reactionary or reclusive. He used his eyes, facial expressions and body to court the media on his sincerity of wanting to seek media partnering in an issue that has far reaching implications and for the best interest of all parties including the citizens around the world who are hungry to follow the developments closely.

Hopefully politicians and those tasked with leading their respective departments, ministries, agencies through the unknown period and passage ahead of us in this crisis will understand, appreciate and pick up the invaluable lessons needed to face media.

It would also be most beneficial for the nation as a whole if our leaders and politicians are thoroughly groomed in the public relations approach to managing crises especially in the matter governing media relations.

We cannot say we as a nation have no experience, knowledge or exposure to the benefits of excellent media relations when ensnared in the thick of an unwanted crisis. The Confrontation years and the Japanese Red Army incident saw how our leaders engaged the vital gears of effective public relations and achieved good and supportive media relations.

Yes the times have changed with the advent and advancement of the Internet world. Today the span, outreach and relay time for news to spill into the public domain and the freedom to disseminate or even go viral with information, miss-information and inadequate or lack of information is mind-blowing.

Staying anchored on ethical reporting

Knowing these constraints only too well, Ibrahim successfully got his message of the need to stay anchored on ethical reporting and playing partner in this unprecedented incident that concerns the whole of humanity. And for that here is an honest ‘Syabas!’ to the director-general of Information, Malaysia.

Meanwhile, politicians and enforcement agencies including the police must please understand that professional public relations and the fundamental laws governing the art and science of communication needs real mastery and skill. In a world of specialisation, it is crucial that those who do not have this knowledge, skill and competency, best leave it to the experts.

Hence all leaders and captains of institutions must either master this competency in media relations or depend on individuals who can help weather the storm. Bureaucracy or rank and file or gate-keeping will be counter-productive.