KUALA LUMPUR: Acknowledging the importance of news organisations in cultivating conversations, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil has urged the fraternity to also plan for another 25 years ahead.
Speaking at the Asia News Network (ANN) 25th Anniversary Summit here yesterday, Fahmi said it would not be out of the ordinary to look towards the future.
“This is especially how media, particularly journalism, can play a critical role not only to enhance relations between Asian countries but to help governments steer a good and clear way forward,” he said.
He also urged media organisations to engage with social media platforms to find a way forward.
This comes after the minister revealed that the annual advertising expenditure was approximately RM4.5bil.
“Perhaps it can be some sort of commercial agreement.
“There is a need to seek an equilibrium on business interests between media organisations and social media platforms.
“We will allow that process of engagement to take place,” he told a press conference after attending ANN’s 25th Anniversary Summit.
Earlier in his speech, Fahmi had said the lack of advertising expenditure towards media organisations would inadvertently affect the quality of journalism.
“We have seen how different jurisdictions have attended to this issue with varying success.
“However, I believe there must be a place for media to perform the necessary work by sending journalists on the ground to investigate,” he said.
He stressed that there should be no perceptions of a clash between media and social media.
“There is enough room and space for all,” he added.
