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For a party that often claims to be a defender of press freedom, Keadilan's treatment of journalists at its third annual general meeting in Kemaman last weekend was indeed disappointing.

Journalists were told they would not be allowed to cover the debate sessions throughout the three-day event for fear of the contents being misreported. As if this wasn't bad enough, some were even barred from attending the opening speech of the youth AGM on Thursday.

"We are obeying orders," the 'guards' told the anxious reporters. "We have to get the directive from the information bureau head before we let you in."

It would be easier for all concerned if the party's secretariat had informed the press about its decision to bar journalists. Then probably none would make his or her way to the eastern state to cover the event, even though the press had thought it would be an interesting one as Keadilan would be conducting its first-ever party elections since its formation in 1999.

Exasperating

Journalists on duty felt they had been treated badly. While they understood the party's low budget restraints - so no one had expected to be treated to a 'grand luncheon' - they could not but be annoyed that there wasn't even a place provided for journalists to work in or wait while elections and counting of votes took place. What rattled journalists most was that they were not even informed of the time when the results would be made public.

Journalists who had covered the event since 8.30am had to wait until midnight for the results, only to be told then that the announcement would be made the following morning. Imagine their exasperation!

Party officials apologised profusely when journalists complained, saying the party was only three years old and had no experience in dealing with the press.

"Yes, the party may be three years old but the people leading it are neither new nor young," one journalist retorted.

Damage control

There is also the matter of opposition parties barring reporters from so-called government-controlled media on the grounds that their news have been 'twisted' or 'badly' reported.

Firstly, the opposition must realise that most journalists are only there to carry out their duty. They report what they see and hear. How stories get 'twisted' or 'badly' reported is sometimes beyond their control.

Secondly, the opposition is not all that blameless. Sometimes it deserves the news it gets. If the opposition believes in press freedom, then it will have to 'swallow the bitter pill' of any criticism it gets. It can always do some damage control via other independent media.

Thirdly, the opposition will have to live with the fact that it will seldom get a fair deal in government-biased media. Neither would pro-government news get to see the light of day in any opposition-biased media, be it PAS' organ Harakah , PRM's Suara PRM or the DAP's Rocket .

It is time the opposition learns how to deal with this problem anyway. If it took over the reins of power someday, it would most likely act in the same manner, if not worse.

"Keadilan is not the government yet and yet this is what it does to the press. Imagine if it becomes the government someday," said a tired journalist while waiting outside the hall at about midnight, for the new youth line-up to be announced.

"Government or opposition, they are all the same," lamented another.

Their frustrations finally caught the attention of some party officials who later decided to allow the press to attend the final day debate on the president's policy speech and resolutions adopted by supreme council leaders, youth and wanita wings.

Learn from Gerakan or PAS

It would be wise for Keadilan to learn from Gerakan or PAS on how to deal with the press during their party's AGM.

Gerakan's relationship with the press during its AGMs is worth emulating. Journalists were not only allowed to attend the entire event but a room equipped with computers and Internet service was also provided. Party leaders would intermittently visit the press room to get to know the journalists.

This is a small gesture but it goes a long way in helping journalists report the truth and nothing but the truth.

PAS AGMs are a lot more 'friendlier' than those of other opposition parties. PAS has not barred any journalists, even those from 'hostile' newspapers, from its debate sessions. The party's AGMs are well organised and journalists would be told of the day's schedules, whether it has a press conference, break-time, or announcement of any results.

Given all the backlash and bad coverage, it is disheartening to note that opposition parties often do not realise how important it is to 'cultivate' a good relationship with reporters. They lack the consciousness to understand how it would further their cause if they treated the press fraternity with more respect. After all, journalists are not all that demanding. All they ask is for some measure of professionalism. All they wish for is to be treated with some dignity and be allowed to do their job.