ntv7 host 'reassigned' over Najib scorecard


Malaysiakini reported that ntv7 talk-show host Florence Looi (picture right) has been issued a warning letter and removed from the programme "Point of View" after one of her guests gave an unfavourable rating on premier Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak's first 100 days in office.

Quoting ntv7 sources, the report said she has been transferred to the news desk of the private television station.

Looi was said to have 'breached editorial policy'.

Two guests - author Syed Akhbar Ali and consulting editor Leslie Lau of the Malaysian Insider - were invited on the talk-show, aired on July 5. It was the latter's remarks that landed Looi in trouble.

It seems Looi was verbally told that she should not have asked her guests to rate Najib's performance. As Looi is the host-cum-producer of the programme, she was the only one who received the warning letter

Looi refused comment when contacted, while efforts to reach the management were futile, according to the report.

Ntv7 is one of the four private TV stations belonging to Media Prima Bhd which is closely linked to Umno. The other three stations are TV3, 8TV and tv9.

The report claimed that Media Prima has also spiked news about the mansion that former Selangor menteri besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo is building in Shah Alam. The blanket ban was applied after the ntv7 Chinese news slot at 5.30pm aired the bulletin.

'Point of View' is shown over ntv7 at 6pm on Sundays. Guests are invited from either side of the divide to discuss "hot" and current topics such as the Internal Security Act and the recent PKFZ scandal.

Former New Straits Times group editor Datuk Ahmad Talib is now Executive Director, News and Editorial Operations, at Media Prima, as well as the Executive Director (Editorial) of New Straits Times Press.

Former Berita Harian Sdn Bhd group editor Datuk Manja Ismail is Media Prima news and current affairs editor.

Malaysiakini
14/07/09

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