By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, July 16: Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg today urged media practitioners to exercise freedom with wisdom and ethics, saying the responsibility is akin to a father trying to treat three children fairly.
Speaking when officiating the Sarawak Media Conference (SMeC) 2026, Abang Johari expanded on an earlier analogy shared by Malaysian Media Council president Premesh Chandran, who likened the relationship between the media and government to that of parents and children.
While Premesh described how parents often focus on a child’s shortcomings despite many achievements, drawing parallels to the media’s role in questioning governments even as they deliver development, Abang Johari said the issue becomes more complex when there is more than one child.
“Assuming the father has three children, what is he going to do? Because then the question of equitable treatment must be there.
“You have to treat your first child, your second child and your third child equitably. But the question of equitable treatment is subjective. One child may say, ‘Why does my brother get more than I do?’ This is where the father’s wisdom has to come in,” he said during the event held at Pullman Hotel here.
Abang Johari further said the same principle applies to the media, where freedom must be exercised responsibly and guided by ethics.
“One school of thought says there must be complete freedom based on human rights. Another says freedom should exist within certain limitations.
“Whether you are bound by certain convention and human ethics, this is where the media has to judge. That’s why the theme of trust is appropriate because trust is about how you carry out the responsibility entrusted to you,” he added.
Abang Johari said the challenge has become even greater as technological advancements, particularly AI, social media platforms and data-driven technologies, continue to reshape the global media landscape.
He warned that while AI can be a powerful force for good, it also carries risks if misused, particularly through deepfakes and the spread of misinformation.
“To me, AI is like a knife. In the kitchen, you need a knife to cut meat or fish. But if you misuse it, it can kill.
“Therefore, AI today must come together with ethics. It is meant for good, but human beings sometimes misuse it,” he said.
Earlier in his speech, Premesh said the media’s role is not to undermine governments but to ask difficult yet constructive questions that help improve governance and move the country forward.
He also described the establishment of the Malaysian Media Council as a sign that the media industry has matured and is capable of regulating itself responsibly through its own code of conduct.
Also present were Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian; Sarawak Legislative Assembly Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar; Minister in the Premier’s Department Dato Sri John Sikie Tayai; Minister of Transport Sarawak, Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin; and Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Corporate Affairs, Information and UKAS) Datuk Abdullah Saidol. — DayakDaily
