Serve as people’s voice, Shafie urges media
KOTA KINABALU: The time has come for government-owned media organisations to serve as a voice for the people instead of merely being a voice for the government, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal said.
Shafie, who is also Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan) president, made the call in his speech at the Jelajah Ramadan RTM launching yesterday, citing Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) as an example.
RTM, as a body that was entrusted with the responsibility to channel information to the public plays a very important role as it can shape the people’s mentality and morality, Shafie said.
This becomes more evident when it comes to the impact RTM can have on the younger generation, as the latter needs to be guided, he added.
Shafie opined as people can be influenced by what they see and hear, that it is important for a media organisation like RTM to be firm, not only in delivering news but also in uplifting the community.
He said it is very important for government leaders to listen to the people and that they must listen to the views of the people, even if those views may sound unpleasant to them.
In his speech, Shafie had also touched on the impact of social media on citizens.
“Social media is very challenging today as its accessibility is unlimited. Everyone, who has access to social media (platforms) such as Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube, can get information. Whether or not we realise it, this can shape the minds, especially at the grassroots,” Shafie said.
Later at the press conference, Shafie reiterated that the new state government should pave the way for the various media organisations to have more freedom in their work rather than being tied up with political ideologies.
On a separate note, Shafie said that the Pan Borneo Highway Project will continue and that it will be implemented in stages, due to current financial issues faced by the state and federal government. Also present at the event were Sabah acting broadcasting director, Malinaziah Datu Mohd Julaspi, and Sepanggar MP, Datuk Azis Jamman.