CM: Produce good, quality news articles
MIRI: The profession of local journalists must be upgraded to a certain status and position so as to have quality presentation of subjects befitting the world of journalism.
In stating this during the 29th Kenyalang Journalism Awards held at Pullman Hotels Miri on Monday night, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said journalists have to write good articles that are not only based on popularity, but also of quality, and feature articles that disseminate current developments all over the world.
“If you are a serious reader you will read quality paper…but, if journalists write quality articles it will benefit everybody in the community thus giving a positive impact to the people at large.
“And I must say that I must thank all the newspapers in Sarawak for their fair and balanced reporting, not only to report the government agenda of development but also the opposition issues,” the Chief Minister said.
He also said: “Sometimes we don’t feel nice to see your reports. If the reports are not factual, of course we are angry. But if your reports are factual articles that expose certain weaknesses of the government, we accept it because we are not perfect.
“On behalf of the state government we would like to express our appreciation to our local journalists. They have worked overtime and improved themselves but definitely there is room for them to upgrade in view of what is happening around the world,” he added.
On the appeal from journalists for the state government to assist in upgrading their field, he said he would ask Yayasan Sarawak to sponsor them to attend courses.
Present were his wife Datin Patinggi Datuk Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang, Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, assistant ministers Datuk Lee Kim Shin and Datu Dr Penguang Manggil, former deputy chief minister Tan Sri Datuk Patinggi Dr George Chan and his wife Datuk Patinggi Puan Sri Lorna Ena, and assemblymen Dennis Ngau and Datuk Sebastian Ting.
Also present were Federation of Sarawak Journalists Association chairman Andy Jong Wan Joon, Shell Malaysia chairman Datuk Iain Lo, Sarawak Energy Berhad CEO Sarbini Suhaili and Petronas president and group CEO Datuk Wan Zulkiflee Wan Ariffin.