NST group editor set to be culled following alleged Umno interference?
As the 15th general election looms, political powers have allegedly continued to interfere in the appointment of key media personnel in an effort to sway narratives in their favour for the ensuing campaign.
(The Vibes) – One such case involves the impending removal of New Straits Times Press’ (NSTP) group editor Ahmad Lokman Mansor from his post due to alleged interference by Umno bigwigs, namely former second finance minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani and Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh.
It is learnt that Lokman is set to be replaced by Farrah Naz Karim by October 1 with the former given an option to either return to the Umno-controlled English daily’s business desk where he had served previously or leave the company.
Farrah, a journalist who formerly served NST as its associate editor, is presently an executive editor at its parent company Media Prima Bhd.
According to sources within the group’s circles, the move to replace Lokman has not gone down well with the majority of the staff as Lokman had been the driving force behind the new editorial change in NST which included more middle-of-the-ground reporting and hard-hitting editorials.
