BUTTERWORTH: After nearly six decades in the entertainment industry, Datuk Khadijah Ibrahim (pic) says her success would not have been possible without the support of media practitioners.
The veteran singer, affectionately known as Ibu, described journalists as more than just reporters of an artiste’s achievements and added that they were among those who helped shape her career and reputation.
The singer of Ku Pendam Sebuah Duka said the relationship between artistes and journalists in the past was built on trust, respect and genuine friendship, often extending beyond professional boundaries.
According to the younger sister of the late singer Latif Ibrahim, journalists of that era not only followed artistes’ careers but also understood their personal lives while respecting the trust placed in them.
“They were like family, friends and confidants. They knew a lot about our lives, but they also knew how to respect boundaries and keep our trust,” she told Bernama.
Khadijah, 66, who is among the performers at the National Journalists’ Day (Hawana) 2026 Grand Finale yesterday, said the media environment at the time helped promote artistes through positive and respectful coverage rather than controversy.
However, she noted that the media landscape has changed significantly with the rise of digital platforms, where artistes’ personal lives often attract more attention than their artistic achievements and work.
“Sometimes, people take bits and pieces of information, write their own versions and create stories. I don’t like that because it can cause fans to misunderstand an issue,” she said.
Despite these changes, Khadijah stressed that professional journalists remain relevant and cannot be replaced by technology as they are able to deliver information in a more accurate, balanced and credible manner.
“I enjoy it when many journalists attend, especially those who ask difficult questions because they help uncover more information and provide deeper perspectives,” she added.
