KUCHING: Deputy president of Kuching Division Journalists Association, Jacqueline David, stressed the need for Sarawak journalists to be trained and re-trained for the changes brought about by the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
“The acquisition of new knowledge is most critical for fellow journalists. Gone are the days when reporters were merely covering cutting of ribbons, lucky draws, or any other light and easy functions or events or doing ‘arm chair reporting’.
“Cross training among media outlets internationally or at the national level will expose our reporters to bigger things in the future.
“During the recent ‘Ramah Tamah Warga Media Bersama Premier Sarawak’, deputy minister of Corporate Affairs, Information and Sarawak Public Communications Unit Datuk Abdullah Saidol in his speech mentioned the state government’s interest in hosting Journalists Convention.
“This is indeed a very good idea as I consider this the first of its kind in the state, and I support this,” she said.
Explaining the important role played by journalism in nation building, Jacqueline said, “Journalists write investigative reports, hold debates, discussions, do background analyses and topical news stories, and publicise issues that have direct or indirect impacts on society and subsequently demand responses from public officials or parties implicated in the matters.
“For example, in the area of the environment alone, we’ve witnessed massive crocodile attacks locally. Once this issue has been hotly debated, the relevant agency should act upon it.”
“These days, the mainstream media does not only compete with social media but also local and national portals
“These are the issues that need to be addressed in the Sarawak Media conventions soon,” she added.
