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Veteran journalist, educator wins special award

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Jeniri (left) receiving the award from Tokoh Wartawan Negara Tan Sri Johan Jaaffar (right).

KUALA LUMPUR: Winning the special award during the prestigious Malaysian Press Institute (MPI)-Petronas Malaysian Journalism Awards 2022 was indeed a big surprise, said the senior fellow of the Malaysian Council of Professors (MPN), Dr Jeniri Amir.

Jeniri is thankful for winning the special award during the prestigious Malaysian Press Institute (MPI)-Petronas Malaysian Journalism Awards 2022.

The adjunct professor of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) Faculty of Language and Communication said he was neither informed nor given any clues that he would be given the award until he was featured during the awards ceremony.

“The announcement as the special award recipient is a big surprise and I really want to thank MPI-Petronas for recognising me for this award.

“This award is not only very meaningful to me but also to Sarawak because this is the first time for someone in Sarawak’s media industry receiving such award.

“The award will not only enliven my spirit to continue to contribute in media and journalism world and I hope that this award will provide motivation to other young journalists and media practitioners in Malaysia especially in Sarawak,” he told New Sarawak Tribune when contacted today.

During the Malam Wartawan Malaysia and Malam Hadiah Kewartawanan Malaysia MPI-Petronas 2022 at Shangri-La Hotel here, on Friday night, Dr Jeniri, took home the special award worth of RM5000 cash, a trophy and certificate. Also winning the special award was Star Media Group advisor Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai.

Apart from being the CEO of SV News Sdn Bhd for News Sarawak Tribune and Suara Sarawak, he is also the founder of the Sarawak Voice portal.

Jeniri has written more than 3,000 articles and over 50 books. He is also the Communication Programme advisor for Universiti Malaysia Sabah and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak besides being appointed as a member of the Unity Ministry think-tank group.

Jeniri urged young journalists to constantly improve their skills and knowledge as well as cultivate critical analysis in their news articles and reports.

“You must continue improving your skills, knowledge and expertise to ensure that your reports and articles are well-written and accepted by the reading public,” he added.

He said, he was really thankful to God for the award and for his wide experiences in 45 years in the journalism industry.

“I have been writing since1977 during my first year in Universiti Sains Malaysia, I have my own column and I have been writing for newspapers and magazines for 45 years non-stop. I read and write non-stop and at the same time I have trained journalisst in Malaysia from various media agencies,” he said.

Meanwhile, MPI chief executive officer Datuk Dr Chamil Wariya said that the special awards were given to prominent journalists who have contributed significantly and with devotion to the journalism industry.

“Dr Jeniri, since his studies in USM in 1977, he had a column with a Pulau Pinang newspaper and when he finished his studies, he continued to produce articles for the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, and joined local media Utusan Sarawak as chief editor from 1993 till 1998.

“He continued to contribute in training and educate future journalists when he became a lecturer in Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) and now he is the CEO of New Sarawak Tribune and Suara Sarawak as well as a board member of SMG.

“This shows from 1977 until now he never stops with his journalism works/ activities whether he worked in the news agency or as a lecturer and that is why the panel judges chose him to receive the special award,” he added.

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