By Dayangku Hidayatul
KUCHING, July 17: In an era where falsehoods can spread faster than facts, the media remains a vital bridge connecting the government and the people through accurate, factual, and responsible reporting.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Amar Fadillah Yusof said journalists today play a far greater role than simply reporting the news, describing them as strategic partners in safeguarding truth, maintaining public confidence, and ensuring national stability.
“The challenge for the media is no longer simply to be the first to report a story, but to be the most accurate, the most ethical, and the most trusted,” he said when speaking at a dinner in conjuction with the Sarawak-level National Journalists’ Day (HAWANA) 2026 and the Sarawak Media Conference (SMEC) 2026 at the Pullman Hotel last night (July 16).
He said journalists, public relations practitioners, and civil servants are among the key drivers of the nation’s communications ecosystem.
Fadillah said the media plays a key role in bridging communities, strengthening public voices, preserving culture, and communicating development agendas in an inclusive manner.
“In my view, one of the media’s most important roles is to serve as a bridge between the government and the people,” he said.
He said clear and credible communication is critical at a time when societies are grappling with fake news, content manipulation, cyber threats, and AI-generated content that is increasingly difficult to distinguish from reality.
“We cannot allow information vacuums to be filled by speculation. We cannot allow falsehoods to spread faster than the truth. That is why we must stand together, Segulai, Sejalai,” he stressed.
He said communication rooted in facts helps ensure government decisions are understood and evaluated based on evidence rather than perception or speculation.
“Media freedom always comes with responsibility. Freedom is not a licence to disregard facts or incite hatred. Rather, media freedom must be guided by the values of truth, justice, balance, and the public interest,” he added. — DayakDaily
