This is unlike the prime ministers after him, who allowed these agencies the freedom to report as they willed, said Zahid.
“In the dissertation for my doctorate, I did a comparative study on Berita Harian and Utusan, and the five elections held under a leader who led the country the longest.
“I observed that the media agenda at the time was set by a certain individual.
“What was reported at the time, the media agenda was already set by that certain someone beforehand,” Zahid said during the celebration of Berita Harian’s 60th anniversary here.
Although he did not name anyone, it is believed that he was referring to Dr Mahathir Mohamad, the longest-serving prime minister who led the country for more than 22 years.
Zahid said based on his observation, media freedom after the former prime minister in question was much better.
“There is no control, no predetermined agenda set by others.”
He also took a jab at the former prime minister, saying the latter must admit that the “present era” was better than his.
Meanwhile, Zahid congratulated mainstream media practitioners such as Media Prima Group for upholding journalistic ethics.
This, he said, was unlike certain media agencies that purposely “created” reports meant to confuse and anger the public.
“(Such reports) must be cast aside,” said Zahid, who is also the home minister.
Mainstream media that practiced “moderation” in their “responsible” reporting should be supported by government-owned and government-linked agencies so they could continue to survive despite today’s challenges, he added.