Media must balance freedom with ethics to earn public trust, says Abang Johari


Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg delivering his keynote address at the Sarawak Media Conference in Kuching. - ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star

KUCHING: The media must balance freedom with ethics to earn public trust and combat misinformation in a rapidly evolving technological landscape, says Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg.

Opening the Sarawak Media Conference on Thursday (July 16), Abang Johari highlighted the pressing challenges posed by social media and artificial intelligence (AI), including fake news, deepfakes, and algorithmic pressures on reporting.

While acknowledging that technology is meant for good, he warned that it can easily be misused to spread misinformation.

To address these challenges, the Premier stated that freedom and ethics must go hand-in-hand to ensure responsible journalism.

Abang Johari also welcomed future collaborations with the Malaysian Media Council, offering Sarawak as a host for upcoming media-related events to foster good journalism.

"We can work together for the sake of good journalism. If you choose Sarawak as a venue, we are ready to be the host," he said.

 

 

 

 

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