Accra:The Sportswriters Association of Malaysia (SAM) has called on all parties involved in the national sports ecosystem to respect media practitioners and engage in professional communication when addressing differences of opinion and criticism.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, SAM President Norismadi Abd Manap emphasized the association's respect for the rights of individuals, including athletes, coaches, officials, and sports administrators, to express their opinions and provide feedback on reports. He stressed that differing views should be managed maturely, avoiding statements that could create negative perceptions or insult individuals or the sports journalism profession.
Norismadi highlighted the essential role of the media in not only reporting competition results but also in conveying information, insights, and developments that shape public understanding of national sports. He underscored that professional media writing is based on evidence and facts, and any factual errors in reports should be corrected with proper evidence from the involved parties.
He also addressed the importance of balancing the speed of news publishing with the responsibility of ensuring accuracy and fairness, thus maintaining the integrity of published reports. Norismadi suggested that any dissatisfaction with media reports should be communicated directly to the concerned individual or organization to allow for fair examination of the issues.
Furthermore, Norismadi pointed out that respecting media does not equate to agreeing with every report, but rather maintaining a professional relationship that includes accepting criticism and recognizing the right to voice opinions responsibly. He expressed SAM’s openness to serve as a platform for discussion, aiming to bridge differences for the mutual benefit of Malaysian sports.
SAM hopes for continued cooperation among all parties with a spirit of mutual respect and professionalism, recognizing that media, athletes, coaches, associations, government agencies, sports institutions, and corporate sponsors each play essential roles in advancing Malaysian sports.