KUCHING: Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil has urged media professionals to explore new technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), to facilitate and improve their reporting work.
“I hope Gabungan Kelab Media Malaysia (GKMM) can consider what new technologies, including AI, are available for media friends in every state.
“This could benefit and ease reporting work, preparing news reports, (as well as help) clean up our videos with enhanced graphics. We need to look at AI’s potential and maximise its use in the media industry,” he said this in his speech before the launch of GKMM at a hotel here last night (May 25).
Due to the decline in newspaper readership in West Malaysia, Fahmi said the federal government will also seek ways to provide allocation to assist media organisations and offer further support.
“Friends in several media organisations have asked questions whether they would have a job in the next few years from now and this is why we need to cooperate with friends in the media to find a way that may seem different,” he said.
He was alluding to media practitioners who fear potential employment issues in the future
Additionally, Fahmi said his ministry will consider several policies which could benefit mainstream media citing Canada as an example where its government banned mainstream media from posting news on Facebook.
“There are several policies that are in consideration between the Ministry of Communication and the federal government due to the impact social media has towards mainstream media,” he said.
Meanwhile, Fahmi also reminded reporters who are a part of the GKMM to have their media tags on them when on duty and urges professional etiquette and professional treatment.
“Professionalism does not necessarily mean we cannot be reprimanded but there is a way to do it and I also do not tolerate sexual harassment either to women or to men.
“If there is such a thing that is happening among media friends please bring it to my attention,” he said.
The establishment of GKMM is a coalition comprising 14 of the country’s media clubs and associations which was recently launched by Fahmi.
