Kuala lumpur: Not every image requires a thousand words. Sometimes, a single frame is enough for the public to feel fear, sorrow, hope, and the pulse of life unfolding before the eyes of media photojournalists, individuals behind the lens who rarely receive recognition.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, in the era of artificial intelligence (AI), visual manipulation, and the flood of information on social media, the role of media photojournalists has become increasingly important as chroniclers of reality and witnesses of truth on the ground.

In conjunction with the National Journalists' Day (HAWANA) 2026 themed 'Media Integrity, Strengthens Credibility', the sacrifices and challenges faced by this group deserve to be recognised as they are among those closest to tragedies, conflicts, disasters, and the realities of everyday life.

Although their faces are seldom known to the public, their captured images often serve as powerful evidence in conveying emotions, suffering, and the reality of unfolding events to society.

For The Star assistant chief photographer Zulazhar Sheblee, more than 30 years of field experience have exposed him to numerous safety risks in pursuit of the best visuals for the public. During his time with Utusan Malaysia, he once tracked Abu Sayyaf hostages in Jolo, the Philippines, even entering detention areas and meeting kidnap victims to secure an exclusive story.

In that daring assignment, he not only documented the conditions at the detention site and interviewed both local and foreign hostages, but also managed to arrange meetings between the victims and journalists after gaining the trust of the kidnappers. 'Journalists write the story, but photojournalists freeze history in a single frame. Without images, much of the emotion and truth may not reach the public,' he said, adding that the exclusive report later won the Kajai Award, one of the most meaningful milestones in his career.

Now based in Sarawak, Zulazhar hopes recognition for media photojournalists will continue to grow, as they are also frontliners behind the scenes who ensure the public can witness reality through captured visuals. He pointed out that ethics and integrity are what distinguish media photojournalists from ordinary photographers, as in photojournalism, every image becomes a historical document, visual evidence and source of information for society.

'Ethics guide photojournalists to respect cultural and religious sensitivities, as well as the feelings of their subjects. This is especially crucial when covering tragedies, accidents, poverty or situations involving children, as children's faces could not be shown,' he said. He added that photojournalists who uphold ethics and integrity earn greater respect, as images rooted in truth, honesty and responsibility are far more meaningful than those that are merely visually appealing.

Throughout his career, Zulazhar, who is also deputy president of the Kuching Division Journalists Association (KDJA), has won the Canon Photomarathon 2015 representing Malaysia in Japan and received the Sarawak Premier Special Appreciation Award during HAWANA 2023.

Meanwhile, Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) photojournalist Muhammad Naim Mohd Zamri said the profession demands a high level of professionalism, even though photojournalists are sometimes perceived or treated as not on equal footing with reporters. With nearly seven years of experience, he said each assignment teaches him to be prepared for unpredictable situations, especially in the fast-paced social media era that demands both speed and accuracy.

On the rise of AI, he acknowledged that the technology is helpful in editing and technical aspects. However, a photojournalist's instinct and sensitivity in capturing authentic moments remain difficult to replicate with algorithms. 'In news coverage, ethics and integrity are crucial to ensure that images reflect real situations without altering facts or using AI-generated visuals that could mislead the public,' he said.

Meanwhile, Bernama Sabah freelance photojournalist Irwan Majid, who has over 15 years of experience, said AI is beginning to impact the industry as some opt to produce images and posters using technology instead of hiring professional photographers. However, the recipient of the Malaysian Press Institute (MPI) Photojournalist Award 2018 stressed that the emotional value and authenticity of real photographs cannot be replaced by technology.

He said assignments in Sabah come with unique challenges due to its vast geography and terrain, but the state offers some of the best opportunities for 'human interest' photography, thanks to the rich diversity of ethnicities and cultures in Borneo.

The HAWANA 2026 celebration, set to take place in Penang on June 20, serves as a key national platform to recognise the contributions, dedication and professionalism of media practitioners in Malaysia.