Govt to support Press Awards as recognition of efforts, contributions of media fraternity – CM
KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Mohd Shafie Apdal has expressed his support for the annual Kinabalu Press Awards, organised by the Sabah Journalists' Association (SJA), to recognise the efforts and contributions of the media fraternity in Sabah.
The annual Awards, previously known as the Kinabalu Shell Press Awards, would be moving forward with SJA as the main organiser and with support from the State government and other sponsors.
It was announced during Saturday night's ceremony that Shell would be taking a step back from organising the event, providing SJA with a platform to be more independent in the endeavour.
Shafie expressed the State government's interest and consideration to support the Awards so it may continue to raise the standard of journalism in the State.
“For many years, I believe the Awards have helped to develop and improve the quality of journalism in the State. Good and fair reporting brings about a well-informed society that is being bombarded with halftruths and fake news spun from social media and the print and electronic media, by people with their own agendas.
“I am aware that SJA is a voluntary organisation and that funding may take time. The State government will do its best to also chip in when the coffers are better. It is indeed important to train and mould good journalists and to have an effective media in the state,” he said.
Shafie also urged media owners to keep up with the times in order to cater to a fast-paced world where information dissemination has become more rapid.
Just retrenching or forcing staff out of their jobs is not the way, he said, adding that innovation may be the way out, such as by developing strong multimedia platforms.
“Each of these media personnel are professionals, a skill earned over years in the field of journalism. It should not be lost,” he said.
Earlier, SJA president Muguntan Vanar sought the State government's consideration to establish a State Media Council following talks of a national one being set up, as the media issues faced in Sabah differ from those faced in the peninsula.
He also said it would be good to help ensure the media could continue playing its role fairly in society.
“Here, I hope, we would be allowed more discussions between SJA and the State government on the possibility for the enactment of a media council for Sabah under a State ordinance.
“I am very much aware of Datuk Seri's advice that self-regulation is a better way for the media and the view that a council would only bring in some forms of control which might not be healthy. I personally do agree with those views, but the mood seems to be towards forming a council at national level.
“In such a fast-shaping situation at the federal level, especially with talks of repealing restrictive media laws, I do believe that a media council is most likely to shape up and that we in Sabah should consider a similar council to meet our own unique needs,” he said.