MIRI: Mainstream journalists are still relevant in spite of the rapid rise in citizen journalism found in social media.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said mainstream journalists play fundamental roles in helping to disseminate correct information to the public.
“The journalist’s roles are crucial in helping to restore public trusts in the media, and at the same time help disseminate factual news to the public,” he said in a speech at the Northern Sarawak Journalists Association (NSJA) Gawai Raya celebration Friday night. His text of speech was read by Bekenu assemblywoman Rosey Yunus.
He said the difference between mainstream journalists and citizen journalists is that the former have the responsibility to tell the truth and tackle the issues of malicious lies and non-factual reports often found in the social media.
“On the other hand, citizen journalists can do almost anything which only the people concerned have control over.
“With today’s technology, the world is at your fingertips, getting, gathering and disseminating information are much easier.
“Too often citizen journalists abuse the ease of disseminating information to spread half-truths and unsubstantiated arguments, which differs greatly with what mainstream journalists do, which is to ensure that the reports are factual.”
He hoped NSJA could become the state government’s agent to disseminate factual information to the public.
“With the digital world that we live in, we have a host of ways to communicate, citizen journalism is on the rise,” he said as he urged mainstream journalists to strengthen public trust with quality journalism.
