BY NEVILLE TIMOTHY SANDERS & GABRIEL LIHAN
MIRI: The dissemination of correct and truthful information on development programmes and policies is crucial in ensuring that the country, Sarawak in particular, can move forward smoothly for the benefit of its people.
In stating this, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg stated that one of the example roles media played was to allow information sharing with the general public in the management of COVID-19 in the last two years.
“Your everyday reports and updates were important in ensuring the success of the programme to contain COVID-19 as well as the vaccination programme,” he said.
He added information dissemination nowadays was easier with the advent of Internet and social media platforms.
“Everybody now can write and publish practically anything they like on social media.
“This is a good development in this era of technology as we have more avenues for us to express ourselves,” he said in his speech.
His speech was read by Deputy Premier, Datuk Seri Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian during the Kenyalang Journalism Awards 2022 ceremony at Imperial Hotel in Miri yesterday.
Abang Johari also believed that mainstream media practitioners were always mindful of adhering to journalism ethics that required reports to be made objectively and responsibly in the effort to create a well-informed society.
“I do not think sharing information which is not true is in keeping with the effort to keep our society informed.
“The rule of thumb, which I am sure you all know, is that if you cannot verify the truth of the information, don’t publish, until you can get it verified,” he added.
