KUALA LUMPUR: As media organisations embark on digital transformation, the government is stepping in with support through a RM30mil fund to aid them in such efforts.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim made the announcement yesterday in conjunction with National Journalists Day (Hawana) 2025.
“We want to ensure the journalism world is not left behind in adopting artificial intelligence while also maintaining a balance between AI and ethics,” he said during his speech at Hawana 2025 at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
“The government has agreed to allocate RM30mil for journalists. This is the largest allocation the government has provided for journalists since Merdeka,” he said, adding that the fund would be used for training.
He said the journalism fraternity must strike a balance between the development of technology and journalistic ethics.
Press freedom must be defended as it is one of the pillars of democracy, he said.
Citing American philosopher Noam Chomsky, he said there are some challenges in the form of manufacturing consent, whereby the tools of power are used to create a narrative.
“Journalists and media leaders have to ensure that while we reject manufacturing consent, we must also reject manufacturing dissent,” he said.
He said that as much as one would not want the “tyranny of the majority” where power is used to oppress, the tyranny of the minority which divides the country is also not wanted.
Anwar also acknowledged some of the criticisms he has received, adding that some of his government’s measures may not be seen as popular.
This includes the push for higher wages in the government and corporate sector.
However, he remains firm in his commitment to weed out corruption and steering reforms, although it may take some time.
“I will do my job regardless of whether I have the general support or not,” he said.
Anwar emphasised that his intention is not to incarcerate people but to recoup money squandered through corruption and use it for the betterment of the people.
He highlighted that in a tradition where corruption was endemic and systemic, his government has initiated reforms, including proper tender and award of projects and enacting new legislation such as the Public Finance and Fiscal Responsibility Act.
“It sounds simple, to most of you, but it is not easy. Many are not comfortable. Those who are used to the old ways,” he added.
“When we have taken action against those corrupt leaders, past or present leaders, businessmen, corporate leaders who have squandered billions of ringgit, I have not seen that sort of anger and support that we should have. But it does not matter,” he said.
At a press conference later, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said that the RM30mil fund is meant to help media organisations navigate the changing journalism landscape.
He said the changes included the shift of the interests of news audiences and emergence of technologies.
Also present were Star Media Group chief content officer Datin Paduka Esther Ng and chief news editor Mazwin Nik Anis.
