KLANG: Journalists are the eyes and ears of society, and journalism will continue to play a vital role even though it has undergone changes over the years, says Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.
The veteran social activist said journalists were responsible for keeping the public informed long before the advent of technology and continue to do so to this day.
"They are the unsung heroes who helped shape the country we live in today.
"As Malaysia marks the National Journalists' Day in Penang on Saturday (June 20), it is the ideal moment to reflect on how much this profession has evolved and why it remains just as important as ever," said Lee.
He added that in the past, newsrooms were loud and busy, with reporters needing to build close personal relationships with sources, while their work was reviewed by multiple editors.
"There was no Google back then, so research meant searching through piles of old newspaper clippings stored in the office libraries," he said.
However, Lee said in modern journalism, digital and instantaneous reporting shaped by social media is the norm.
Given that news now unfolds in real time, he noted that reporters have to be fast, tech-savvy, and ready to publish updates immediately, unlike before, when journalists worked with notebooks, pens and landline phones.
"Back then, typewriters, notebooks, and landline phones were the only tools available. With longer timeframes to research, verify details, and edit their work, journalists could ensure every story was as precise and reliable as possible," he said.
Lee also cautioned that while social media platforms delivered news quickly, they also spread misinformation and rumours.
Because of this, journalists have to sift through content to separate fact from fiction, he added.
"This weekend, we extend our gratitude and pay tribute to the veteran journalists who laid the foundations of our media industry.
"We also honour today's reporters who continue to bring us the news we need," said Lee in a message to journalists across the nation.
