DAP deputy president and senator Tunku Abdul Aziz Ibrahim, has submitted notice to the senate president seeking to debate the allegation that political pressure was exerted on the producer of ntv7's Editor’s Time programme.

The premier’s wife Rosmah Mansor and the PM’s Department were implicated by producer Joshua Wong, who quit his job in protest last Thursday.

tunku abdul aziz tunku ibrahim "Political interference in the affairs of ntv7 restricts media freedom and curtails healthy political debate," noted Abdul Aziz (right) in a statement.

"(Such antics) will not help us achieve developed nation status and are, instead, similar to tactics used by dictators of third world nations to perpetuate their stranglehold over the rakyat."

This, he said, is why the Parliament should view the claim seriously.

Wong had also claimed that the PM’s Department had imposed ‘self-censorship’ guidelines to the television station:

  • not to discuss political issues;
  • not to invite opposition leaders as guests; and
  • not to discuss matters relating to the Hulu Selangor by-election.
Abdul Aziz described the sanctions as “blackmail”.

“(These) conflict with the principle of media freedom and independence and infringes on the professionalism of producers,” he said.

He stressed that debate on the motion is important to ensure the professionalism and the creative culture of the media, as well as the people’s right to expression.

NONE ‘Editor’s Time’ is a popular forum that has hosted both BN and Pakatan Rakyat leaders, in seeking open political analysis and to encourage rational and critical debate public debate.

Wong (left) is a respected 16-year veteran of the television industry, having spent seven years in ntv7.

His revelations have caused a storm on both sides of the political divide and from civil society.