KUCHING: Newspapers such as Suara Sarawak (SV) play a vital role as a source of reliable and accurate information for the public.
Quoting recent fast-paced political changes and developments in Kuala Lumpur, Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office (Integrity and Ombudsman) Datuk Talib Zulpilip said, “The names kept changing, so the message was very confusing. Therefore, people need a reliable and professional source of information.
“The country has been troubled by very uncertain politics, internal tension, and power struggles. People are fighting for positions but not for the nation.”
Talib said this at SV’s first anniversary dinner at Riverside Majestic Hotel here on Sunday, where he was representing Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
“Last time, news used to travel slowly, but news including fake news now travels very fast,” he said.
Talib said that it was the responsibility of newspapers to filter information so that the public were not deceived by fake news.
“This is the role of SV to ensure that we get accurate and correct news and not fake news,” he said.
Talib added another function of newspapers was to be a two-way channel between the government and the people.
Meanwhile, he pointed out, “Media is a very competitive field; sometimes (media companies) can hold out but sometimes they cannot.”
Congratulating SV on its success and the launch of its digital e-paper that night, he hoped it would grow and become even more influential.
Also present were Assistant Minister of Infrastructure and Ports Development Datuk Julaihi Narawi; Assistant Minister of Utilities (Water Supply) Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi; Jemoreng assemblyman Datuk Dr Juanda Jaya; Deputy State Secretary Datuk Dr Sabariah Putit; SV chief executive officer Dr Jeniri Amir; and management and staff of SV and its sister paper New Sarawak Tribune.
