KUCHING: The mass media plays a vital role in delivering information to the public about Covid-19 crisis and the enforcement of the movement control order (MCO).
Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the mass media had influence on the people’s daily lives, especially during this trying time when a lot of information needs to be delivered to the people.
“Through their reports, the press can influence people’s perspectives and attitude,” he said in a Facebook post for the World Press Freedom Day yesterday.
He further thanked the media for helping the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives disseminate information to entrepreneurs and the public.
“A reporter can go anywhere; see many things and meet unique personalities. The media is an influential force in the running of a democracy, so it is referred to as the ‘fourth estate’ because of it,” he said.
He pointed out that the digital media is more preferred by people nowadays because it is fast and has wide outreach.
“Unfortunately, these digital platforms are fast becoming places where truth is manipulated to influence public opinion. Therefore, I advise people to use digital media platforms wisely and not as a medium to spread fake news and slander,” he said.
For media practitioners, Wan Junaidi reminded them that credibility was indispensable as one of the most important benchmarks in the media industry today and in the future.
“As an influential group, I hope journalists and media practitioners are responsible when doing their jobs and upholding journalism ethics and principles,” he said.
