Journalists remain true frontline agents of information

KUALA LUMPUR: The importance of professional journalism and mainstream media as the eyes and ears of the people cannot be overemphasised, more so in this digital age when anyone armed with a smartphone is capable of disseminating information.
 
As such, media clubs foresee that journalists will be faced with yet another challenge in the increasing number of citizen journalists who report news events on social media without any basic knowledge of journalism.
 
They are hoping this issue will be discussed at the 2023 National Journalists’ Day (HAWANA), which will be held next month.
 
Kuala Lumpur & Selangor Media Club (KamiKLS) president Wan Syamsul Amly Wan Seadey said the advance of digital technology allows information to be shared and broadcast by anyone, in turn causing fake news and slander to be spread widely, which can undermine harmony, especially when the topic touches on racial and security issues.
 
“Some of the news being spread is fake and defamatory, and this requires professional journalists to confirm such news to dispel anxiety among the community,” he told Bernama.
 
Putrajaya Media Club (KMP) president Wan Zairul Azri Wan Mohammad Sudin agrees with Wan Syamsul Amly, saying that unauthentic information or news reports that are often made viral on social media platforms have turned media practitioners into “fake news counter agents.”
 
“Therefore, what differentiates media practitioners from citizen journalists is that the former apply journalism ethics to their work, ensuring that the news report is true, accurate, and fair, and to avoid prejudices or baseless accusations,” he said.
 
Kedah Elite Media Club (KMEK) president Adie Suri Zulkeflli said media organisations function as a platform that highlights the voice of the people objectively, in line with their role as the fourth estate. 
 
“Media practitioners must always be proactive in producing news materials that promote critical thinking in the community so that every issue that is highlighted is discussed and debated for the benefit of the people and the country,” he said.
 
Despite maintaining the status quo as frontline news providers, Johor Media Club (KMJ) president Mohamad Fauzi Ishak admitted that journalists and existing media agencies in the country have changed their reporting approach to mobile journalism (MoJo) to attract the attention of the public, which craves real-time information. 
 
“The emergence of social media has changed the way readers obtain information, and this presents a challenge to professional journalism as they need to compete for this purpose,” he said.
 
Meanwhile, Terengganu Media Journalists Club (Kawat) deputy president Mohd Ishak Abdillah Ngah said HAWANA 2023, which will be held in Ipoh, Perak, from May 27 to 29, needs to discuss in depth the current challenges faced by journalists and the media for the future of journalism.
 
He said this is important because media practitioners are affected by the current economic situation due to the increase in the cost of living and the increase in the price of goods.
 
HAWANA is being held in recognition of the role and contribution of media practitioners in Malaysia. – BERNAMA