SIBU: The media industry has become more and more competitive with the development of advanced and often cheaper digital devices.
Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian said such competition demands creativity of each media user in order to stay on top of the game.
“Some people would see it as a good thing, and some see it otherwise.
I hope that you could see it as a good thing because now, you have a wider audience.
“Social media, such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter are very popular for news sources. At the same time, it gives opportunity for news providers to interact with their audience.
“I believe that engagement allows many news providers to understand their audience better,” he said at the golden jubilee dinner of The Institute of Rejang Journalists (IRJ) Sibu held at a leading hotel here on Tuesday.
His text of the speech was read out by the Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Michael Tiang Ming Tee.
Dr Sim who is also Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government said without a doubt, while the understanding audience is important to create a competitive edge, the essence of journalism will always remain the same and that is to provide reliable and accurate news to the audience.
He pointed out it is through journalism that people are well informed which differentiates them from other social media users.
He noted that the role of journalism is still very important and in fact, it is always evolving and developing.
He commended the local journalists and members of IRJ for their commitment and responsibility to keep members of the public informed and enlightened through their reporting.
He suggested that IRJ conduct a workshop on news writing for students as one of its activities to inculcate journalistic and analytical skills among the students.
Among those present were Bukit Assek assemblyman Joseph Chieng Jin Ek, president of the Federation of Sarawak Journalists Association (FSJA) Andy Jong, president of IRJ Councillor Yii Souk Ming and organising chairperson Jane Moh.
