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| Tuesday, 03 November 2009, 09:20 ICT
Governments need smarter communications says Malaysian diplomat
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| Tan Sri Hasmy Agam:Government must get smarter at disissememinating information |
In the era of globalisation, governments need to be smarter in handling issues of public interest and concern, such as the Influenza A(H1N1) pandemic, said leading Malaysian diplomat and academic , Tan Sri Hasmy Agam.
The Malaysian Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations (IDFR) executive chairman, has said a sound programme of public relations would help to project a positive image for the government, ministry or agency concerned.
"An important part of such programmes to be put in place would be an outreach programme that would explain to the public about government policies and activities, as part as their education as concerned citizens.
Hasmy outlined his views in a speech entitled "The Impact Of Globalisation on Goverment Public Relations" at the Institute of Public Relations Malaysia's talk series.
The Malaysian ambassador-at-large to the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) said officials handling public relations must be smarter in the business of disseminating information to the public, particularly to the media.
"The appointment of 'official spokesmen' who are both very experienced and well trained in the business of public relations and dealing with the media, would be one effective way of meeting the challenge," said the adjunct professor of the College of Law, Government and International Studies, Universiti Utara Malaysia.
He suggested that there would be greater credence and credibility if information dissemination on important issues of the day be given out in as objective and apolitical a manner as possible.
"Very often this could be better done by officials rather than politicians, although some politicans have shown great skills and savviness in dealing with the media," said the former president of the United Nations Security Council, twice in July 1999 and August 2000.
Hasmy said those in government should have a change of approach and mindset from the old attitude of giving little information as possible to the public, to one sharing as much information as possible with the public for better policy formulation.
"Management of information should be inclusive, and not exclusive," he added.
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