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 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) to be held next month.
Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Media Club (KamiKLS) president Wan Syamsul Amly Wan Seadey said the advance of digital technology had allowed information to be shared by anyone, which has also caused 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 are 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 agreed with Wan Syamsul Amly, saying that fake information or news reports that often go viral on social media platforms have turned media practitioners into "fake news counter agents".
"What differentiates media practitioners from citizen journalists is that the former apply journalism ethics in their work, ensuring that the news report is true, accurate and fair and to avoid prejudice or baseless accusations.
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 its role as the fourth estate.
"Media practitioners must always be proactive in producing news that promote critical thinking in the community so that every issue highlighted is discussed and debated for the benefit of the people and the country," he said.
Despite remaining 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 the reporting approach to "mobile journalism" to attract the attention of the public who crave 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 with this," 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 in-depth discussion of 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 held in recognition of the role and contribution of media practitioners in Malaysia. – Bernama
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