KUCHING: The media plays an important role in bridging whatever gaps are between the government and the people.
In pointing this out, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has described journalists as strategic partners due to their jobs of informing the people about various government programmes.
He said these when officiating at the 32nd Kenyalang Journalism Awards (KJA) ceremony held at Imperial Hotel here on Friday night (Nov 6).
The media fraternity in general was touched by his speech in which he acknowledged the role and relevancy of the industry in disseminating information to the general public.
Tania Lam Kar Yan, New Sarawak Tribune’s gold winner of Sustainability Journalism Award said, “I do agree that journalists can shape societal behaviour and thinking as the media acts as an intermediary between the government and the people. Journalists need to be able to effectively interpret information received, process it, and disseminate it to the public.”
Jacqueline Nur Atiqah Abdullah, Federation of Sarawak Journalists Association (FSJA) president, said “The state government and the chief minister are known to be media-friendly which also boosts our role in disseminating information on what’s going on in the state especially on rural development. Without the media, the government would not be able to work on its own as ‘no man is an island’. We are here to create awareness but not someone you can shun away.”
Suara Sarawak’s winner of six awards, Barina Nani, who described herself as a ‘Ruai’ journalist, pointed out that her target group is the rural people in longhouses and villages. “We usually focus on the uniqueness of Iban culture and the development of the Dayak as a whole.
“Sometimes I visit places in the interior just to gather news material for my reports. While I do so I help disseminate information on the state government’s efforts to develop the state.”
A Sin Chew Daily journalist, Lee Pei Tze, pointed out that the relationship between the media and the government has a profound impact on the information disseminated to the public.
“Governments have relied on the media to communicate with citizens and stakeholders around the state, ensuring that they receive the right information especially on government policies, development plans, etc.
“As journalists from private news organisations, we are fair in reporting news released by the government. We try to report the truth to let people know what is happening in the state and country. We also try to get feedback from the public so that the government knows what the people want.”
