Responsible Hosting and TV Journalism

Recently I saw a ‘live’ entertainment talkshow on TV3 called Sensasi.

The hosts, Awal and Intan were interviewing Rosnah Mat Aris and Watie Elite.

And the next day, Rosnah Mat Aris had to apologize for what was described as menghina Nabi Muhammad on the show.

Ok… What I think about all these?

It was right for Rosnah Mat Aris to apologize. BUT… yes a big BUT… She was ‘trapped’ and was ‘angry’ at the remarks made by the hosts and a setahun jagung studio audience. Itu pasal dia 'melatah'.

Seriously, I sebenarnya kesian kat artis di Malaysia ini.

Mereka perlukan media untuk cari makan. Oleh itu, apa saja opportunity dan umpan media, mereka terpaksa turuti, kalau tidak, tak fofular lah.

In Rosnah’s case, how would you feel if you were invited to a talk show, ridiculed by everyone and expected to remain calm. How was she ridiculed? Macam ni..(I will summarize for you... tapi maksudnya tak lari…)

“Kak Ros punya anak sebaya dengan saya, macamana Kak Ros can live looking ‘hideous’ with blonde hair, dan keluar dengan anak-anak ikan (anak ikan = lelaki remaja)”.

Awal, the male host, tekan-tekan muka Rosnah Mat Aris and said, “wah, tenggangnya kulit Kak Ros, ini mesti cucuk. Lagi tegang dari muka Watie Elite..”

And lots more…

Now… wait a minute…

I was once a host of a hot live entertainment talkshow program on TV3 called Teleskop, many zillion years ago… and at that time, no matter what, entertainment program ker, sports program ker, kita kena ada LIDAH PENGARANG, kena ada responsible journalism, content kena betul treatment.

Masa tu Berita Terkini Hiburan Sensasi was our motto and guide. Soalan boleh panas tetapi jangan menjatuhkan air muka orang (lagi pun ini bukan budaya kita). And most of all, sekolah kewartawanan mana yang mengajar hos untuk mengasak, memalukan, dan merendahkan martabat artis?

Dahlah panggil artis ke studio, lepas tu malukan mereka. Tentulah mereka melatah. Mereka nampak saja cool, but being the sensitive people that they are, mereka akan balik kerumah menangis seminggu.

Kita tidak membantu membina industri, kita bunuh jiwa mereka. Nanti, satu hari, it will be an acceptable culture untuk wartawan mengherdik dan mencaci artis on ‘live’ television – terjah dah ‘diterima’ dah. Cuba buka balik buku journalism.

TV Journalists/hosts must know the art of asking question.

And the most important thing that they must know (very basic really -- if they have not picked up a book on journalism), is when they ask the respondent questions, they are basically asking the questions on behalf of the public (read:US). And we the public would not like to be represented by someone who is 'rude' when asking questions. Because, it will backfire!!!

If the respondent memang bersalah, tetapi kalau hos dok gasak dia, audience akan bersimpati dengan respondent yang 'malang' itu.

Mengapa ini semua berlaku?

Kerana Budi Bahasa Budaya Kita… (sebut sekali lagi...)

But then janganlah kira sangat pandangan saya. Siapalah saya… Saya cuma ‘a has been TV Star’.

That nite, "I died in my sleep'.

(Pic from fotosearch.com)