By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Aug 9: A special programme will soon be introduced for “netizen” journalists in Sarawak who do not possess media credentials issued by the Information Department (JaPen), aimed at ensuring that online news reports adhere to proper journalistic ethics.
Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Corporate Affairs, Information and Ukas) Datuk Abdullah Saidol said the initiative is part of broader efforts to maintain responsible reporting, particularly in a diverse State like Sarawak where issues touching on race and religion are highly sensitive.
He reminded both government and private media to refrain from publishing or amplifying negative sentiments such as racism and religious intolerance, stressing that such attitudes are inconsistent with the values of a true Malaysian.
“This matter is very sensitive, especially in Sarawak which has various races, ethnicities and religions,” he said in a Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) news report.
He made the remarks during the Malam Segulai Sejalai event at the JaPen Sarawak headquarters on Friday night.
Abdullah also urged all media agencies to uphold their role in clearly communicating information on government initiatives, whether at the federal or State level, without misleading or confusing the public.
He further called for stronger collaboration among media organisations, encouraging them to share credible sources and avoid producing conflicting versions of the same news.
“That is why I feel that cooperation between Ukas at the state level as a representative of state agencies, JaPen, and all related agencies is very important. We need to work together, build camaraderie and increase the frequency of communication,” he stressed.
Also present were Ukas director Awang Putrayusrie Awang Redzuan, JaPen Sarawak acting director Sri Kestury Mohammed Zamhari, and other heads of departments. — DayakDaily
