Our Media: Purveyor of Truth, Spineless Yes-man or Bubbly Cheerleader?

I reckon the govt wants the country's media to become a schizophrenic basket case. Exactly what role is the media supposed to play here?

I always thought an ethical & professional media is just supposed to report the truth. Nothing else but the truth [Purveyor of Truth]. But apparently, I might be wrong.

Here's Zam's guidance on "proper roles" of the media:

DO NOT CONTRADICT OUR LEADERS AND MAKE THEM LOOK STUPID [Yes-man]

Zam Regrets Media Played Up Drop In Stock Index
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news_lite.php?id=249656

ALOR STAR, March 4 (Bernama) -- Information Minister Datuk Seri Zainuddin Maidin said he was disappointed that the local media played up last week's fall in the Bursa Malaysia stock index.

"Such reports are of no help at a time when the country's leaders, including Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, are saying that our economy is on the right track with strong fundamentals.

BE A CHEERLEADER AND REPORT ONLY THE GOOD STUFF [Cheerleader]

"I hope the media will play its role in instilling confidence in investors within and outside the country that the economy is stable and strong"

If you ask me, I'm just a little bit concerned that Zam did not regard reporting the truth to be important enough to merit even a single word in his comments.