By Jaythaleela K
MIRI, June 29: Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan wants mainstream journalists to rebuild public trust through quality writing and disseminating the correct facts.
“Mainstream journalists are still relevant despite the rapid rise in citizen journalists in the social media,” he said at Northern Sarawak Journalists Association (NSJA) Gawai Raya celebration here yesterday.
His text-of-speech was read out by Bekenu assemblywoman Rosey Yunus. Also present were Sibuti MP Lukanisman Awang Sauni, Piasau assemblyman Datuk Sebastian Ting, mayor Adam You and NSJA president Andy Jong.
Awang Tengah said with the rapid pace in information gathering, mainstream journalists could help tackle issues such as malicious lies through quick fact-checking.
“With today’s technology, the world is at your fingertips. Getting information is much easier. This is where mainstream journalists play an essential part in order to ensure that the facts are correct,” he said.
Awang Tengah hoped NSJA would remain the state government’s agent to disseminate factual information to the public. — DayakDaily
