CM: Give balance and fair news reporting
KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal reminds journalists in Sabah to continue to provide balance and fair reporting of news for the general public.
“It is important for all of you to maintain your journalist ethics in pursuit of a profession. I am sure if high ethical standards are maintained, journalism will be here to stay,” said Shafie at the Kota Kinabalu Journalists Association’s (KKJA) annual luncheon in celebration of the Chinese New Year here yesterday.
In his speech, which was delivered by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Christina Liew, Shafie stressed that the mainstream media, whether English, Chinese, Bahasa Malaysia or Kadazandusun, is an important source of reliable information for the public to be guided.
“Today, we are faced with many untruths or twisted facts that are spread through the social media by people with specific agendas. These create doubts and confusion among the people. I don’t have to dwell at length on this as all of you here as working journalists know for yourself how a fact can be twisted totally to become something else. There are many people with specific agendas trying to manipulate issues or even spread total lies to create animosity, hate, tension for their own selfish reasons.
“There is no harm if you pick a story from another source provided you check the facts before publishing it. Unsubstantiated reports can be very damaging. Remember, if you spin a story for your own benefit and hoodwink the public, the day will come when the public will no longer trust you,” he said.
Shafie also said that he is aware of the changing world of journalism and the new media in the new world of information technology.
Social media and giant internet platforms are slowly chipping into your circulation and revenues. Newspapers are facing dwindling circulations and managements are cutting back costs, he noted.
It is important, he said, for newspaper owners and managers to come out with innovative ideas to keep a workable business interest in maintaining the mainstream media.
“I am told that some national newspaper companies are trimming down staff and offering separation packages. So far in Sabah, I have not heard of such moves though managers and owners are tightening operation cost.
“In your efforts to meet the challenges of the media companies, it is important that you observe the labour laws and avoid unhealthy practices if and when you are letting off staff,” he pointed out.
“I would like to thank all of you for your tireless work and your continued pursuit to ensure fair and balanced reporting as well as your reporting of various activities, policy initiatives and development of the state government,” said Shafie.