The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) will seek to set up a suitable mechanism to deal with journalists who resort to unethical practices in the course of their work, said NUJ general secretary V Anbalagan.

He said there has been no clear mechanism in terms of receiving public complaints against journalists and ways to deal with these complaints.

By creating a mechanism, the NUJ can deal with those involved and, if the need arises, the journalists can be summoned to give an explanation, he said in an interview on the ‘ Dalam Radar ’ ( On the Radar ) programme of Bernama Radio24 yesterday.

“Actually, there is a provision in the NUJ constitution to deal with unethical journalists. Unfortunately, the authority has never been exercised.

Commenting on unbalanced reports in some newspapers of late, Anbalagan said consumers must be prudent in using their right to make the correct choice.  

In this context, he said, if a person felt that the content of a newspaper were not to his taste, he or she could opt for other newspapers.

He said this would send a clear message to the owners of newspapers that they have to be sensitive to the current demands of readers.  

- Bernama