KUANTAN, Mainstream media remains the top choice for accessing reliable news despite the public’s exposure to various information on social media platforms.
This was acknowledged by Temerloh native Mohd Sakeri Mohd Yunus, 46, who relies on mainstream media as his primary source for obtaining information about issues being discussed or circulated among the public.
Serving in the Corporate Communications Department at a higher education institution here, Mohd Sakeri said his career also demanded him to stay informed of current issues and obtain credible information from trusted news sources such as Bernama.
‘For example, the recent Employees Provident Fund (EPF) announcement. A lot of information surfaced on TikTok, so I turned to mainstream media because their information is more accurate.
‘The digital age also demands us to be cautious when consuming news. The public needs to always verify information and seek it from credible sources like mainstream media, which is now also easily accessible on social m
edia platforms,’ he told Bernama.
For young people like Nurin Izzati Firdaus, 26, the mushrooming online portals require the community to carefully scrutinise any report before sharing it with a broader audience.
‘If unsure, refrain from sharing. Sometimes, people upload content to chase clout. So, the public should be wise when consuming information.
‘For me, news channels from mainstream media remain my preferred choice,’ she said.
Meanwhile, Sultan Ahmad Shah Pahang Islamic University vice-chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Mohd Zawavi Zainal Abidin emphasised the crucial role journalists play in educating the public, especially the younger generation.
He stressed that the responsibility of journalists should not be underestimated as they play a vital role in raising awareness through accurate news reporting.
‘Mainstream media journalists not only deliver information but also motivate and inspire readers.
‘I hope they can continue to increase awareness and educate the public through reliable news reporti
ng,’ he said.
The National Journalists’ Day (HAWANA) celebration was introduced in 2018 to honour the contribution of media practitioners in shaping the minds of an informed society, fostering cooperation, and driving positive change in the industry.
Themed ‘Etika Teras Kewartawanan Mapan’, the HAWANA 2024 celebration will take place from May 25 to 27 in Kuching, Sarawak, and will be officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The largest gathering of Malaysian journalists is organised by the Communications Ministry in collaboration with the Sarawak State Government, with the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) being the implementing agency.
The date of May 29 was chosen as National Journalists’ Day in commemoration of the first publication of the Utusan Melayu newspaper on May 29, 1939.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency
