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Updated: July 20, 2014 01:52 (MYT)

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MH17: Guide to a better press conference

Izza Izelan, Astro Awani | Updated: July 19, 2014
(First published on: July 19, 2014 13:47 MYT)
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MH17: Guide to a Better Press Conference

KUALA LUMPUR: What a tragic spot for Malaysia to find herself to be in again, only after about four months since
the tragedy of MH370. The wound is still fresh.
What a harrowing 'coincidence'. It almost feels like dj vu. This time though, it involves flight MH17 en route from
Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, but this time, there is closure in that the debris of the Malaysia Airline's aircraft was
found after it was shot down by a missile, and crashed over the province of Donetsk, in the East of Ukraine. Not that
this closure makes anything better or easier.
Alright, so that happened. Now what? Nothing we can do now, right? You ask.
Well, the answer is yes, there is something we can do damage control.
In this case, the damage control would be in the form of the press conferences we conduct every now and then.
I suggest that it be done properly. So Im giving some suggestions that we might want to consider seriously for the next
press conferences to come:
1. To use Bahasa Malaysia Not really because our English language proficiency is low, but because we speak in our
mother tongue a lot better. Hence, we express better and our messages will be conveyed better. Using English as a
medium so far has proven to be short of helpful as there have been occasions where we mean one thing but say
something else. In highly sensitive crises such as the MH370 and MH17 tragedies, we have absolutely no room for
mistakes. The choice of words has to be apt and suitable in context. In short, language incompetency allows for more
errors to be made, and we dont want this to happen.
2. To have legal advisers or official spokespersons By spokespersons I don't mean someone who is necessarily
holding a positions, but someone who knows whats going on. Basically, this spokesperson will be the pawn or the
messenger, whereby he will deliver the information without having to hold a reputation. The best is to stick to a
Standard Party Line (SPL) where everyone who is eligible to hold the press conference would be on the same page on
the matter. If the Prime Minister or any Minister has to speak, it is best if we can stick to a text prepared with
consultation of the legal advisors.
3. To remove the Q&A session This is to minimize even further, any opportunity for errors, opportunity for merciless
attacks by questioners, and opportunity for the speaker to look stupid in front of the entire world. No offence. Also,
because every information that we know and want to announce, would have been included in the statement prepared
(as I mentioned in point #2) so everything else that people would want to ask would be things that we have yet to verify
(hence no point in them asking, and us attempting to answer with a We will have to check on that). Obviously if they
have a question (or two) about why MH17 decided to go through with the planned route albeit knowing that it might
have to go through the airspace of a red zone area, they should instead ask the International Air Transport Association
(IATA) why the safe status was granted for the route. IATAs failure to inform the airliners that the route is unsafe,
could in fact affect other airliners scheduled to take the route. So again, Malaysia has the right to not answer questions
that are beyond our expertise.
4. To look the part This is a common practice which people refer to as perception management. We manage the
perception of the world (who are all looking at our every move now) on us, and we direct them to look at us in a certain
way. And in this case, we need to portray ourselves as what we are innocent. Obviously the plane was downed by
either Ukraine or Russia (thats what weve been told), and we know for a fact that we are not at fault. So we need to
portray precisely to the world, that we are innocent.

5. Do not be apologetic! This is actually the most important one. Why do we act as if were at fault by appearing to
be so weak and rueful? Millions of eyeballs are directed at us this very moment, waiting to find someone to blame, and
we act all nervous as if everything was a part of our plan. No! Thats not the way to do it! Be firm, stand tall and say it
as it is. We have no part in the unprecedented accident; yes, we are grieving as much as you are and the burden is
unfortunately assumed on our shoulders, but we have no idea it was going to happen and it wasnt our fault. There. No
need for meek expressions and 'ummm' and 'ahhh', while allowing people to even think for a second that they can blame
us for something we didnt do.
So those are just some of my suggestions on how the press conferences in light of the MH17 tragedy can and should be
conducted. Im saying this not because I want to personally attack anyone, but because Im protective over my country
and I dont like it when people think they can bully us. I want the world to see us as a nation that stand together and
have each others' backs, and to catch each other when we fall. I want the world to see us rise from all these hurdles we
have been facing within this hellish year, and to finally stand tall against it all.
Malaysia, better days are ahead of us chin up, and lets move forward.
The writer would like to offer her heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of those who perished in the
horrific tragedy of MH17. Malaysians are with you, and her prayers are with your loved ones.
To watch more of Astro's popular programmes and infotainment, use Astro on the Go
http://onthego.astro.com.my
Tags: mh17, malaysia airlines, mas, malaysia
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ABOUT THE WRITER

A reporter and an anchor with Astro AWANI.

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There must be something behind all of these and there must be a reason why, either. Allah knows best. Al-Fatihah to all
the victims of #MH17
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