BESarawak Teams Up with Media Organizations to Launch AI Training, Helping Journalists Break Free from the 'Churnalism' Model

(Kuching, 8th) Sarawak Business Events Bureau (BESarawak) has partnered with local journalist organizations today to launch an Artificial Intelligence (AI) literacy training program for 35 local media professionals. The initiative aims to enhance news reporting capabilities and encourage Sarawak journalists to leverage emerging technologies, strengthen research and storytelling skills, and focus on public interest reporting to break away from the 'churnalism' working model.
According to the statement, the training program, titled "AI Masterclass: Strategic Usage, Productivity & Efficiency," is part of BESarawak’s overall plan to enhance collaboration with media stakeholders and boost the professionalism of industry partners, thereby supporting Sarawak’s goal of moving towards innovation and knowledge-driven development.

Kuching Division Journalists Association (KDJA) President Ronnie Teo, speaking on the importance of adapting to industry transformation, said that journalists should view AI as a tool to assist professional judgment, not as a replacement for journalists.
He said: "We hope the media industry can move beyond the 'churnalism' model and make good use of AI for more in-depth research, stronger storytelling, and more meaningful news reporting."
He noted that possessing AI literacy will help journalists uncover important topics, tell compelling news stories, and better serve the public interest, while also ensuring that media professionals remain competitive in a rapidly changing industry environment.

He stated that this masterclass course is designed to achieve these goals by helping participants master relevant knowledge and tools for responsible and effective AI use in their daily work, while also driving continuous professional development within the media industry.
Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Sarawak Business Events Bureau, Jason Tan Chin Foo, stated that continuous learning and knowledge sharing are crucial foundations for building a stronger media ecosystem, which also supports the development of the business events industry.
He said that enabling media professionals to grasp emerging technologies will help all sectors better understand the significant role of business events in driving Sarawak’s economic growth, knowledge development, and long-term development vision.

Meanwhile, Commonwealth Journalists Association Sarawak Branch President Nancy Nais pointed out that this training will help media professionals make good use of AI tools to improve work efficiency while adhering to journalistic ethics.
She said: "Enhancing AI literacy will help journalists remain competitive and better capable of providing high-quality news content that serves the entire Sarawak community."