(Kuching, 17th) Deputy Prime Minister Dato Sri Fadillah Yusof stated that, in addition to chasing news hotspots, journalists should also have an in-depth mastery of professional knowledge related to their reporting fields to ensure accuracy and to explain issues affecting Sarawak's development in ways easily understood by the public.
He said that as social issues become increasingly complex, reporters must continuously enhance their professional abilities and subject-specific knowledge to keep up with the times and ensure that news content is truthful and accurate.
He also called on public communication units in Sarawak to play a more active role by providing the media with more opportunities for professional training and specialized learning, helping them improve their professional quality.
Last night (July 16), while officiating at the opening of the 2026 National Journalists Day (HAWANA) Sarawak Celebration and the 2026 Sarawak Media Conference (SMEC) banquet at Pullman Hotel Kuching, Fadillah stated:
"To provide accurate and truthful news reporting, we must equip journalists with the professional knowledge and skills relevant to the fields they cover."
"If journalists do not truly grasp the related issues, it becomes difficult to report accurately and to explain these topics to the public in a way that's easy for everyone to understand."
He pointed out that the media industry must continue to invest in talent cultivation and professional training to ensure that journalists remain competitive and professional in this rapidly changing digital era.
He said that modern reporters not only need interviewing and writing skills, but should also familiarize themselves with several new areas, including: Data Analytics; Digital Security; Fact-checking; Data Journalism; ethical applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI); and Cross-platform Reporting.
Fadillah emphasized that even more importantly, in the digital age, journalists should also develop the ability to become "influencers", transforming complex policies and issues into information that is simple and easy to understand, effectively conveying key messages to the public.
He said: "When it comes to development agendas driven by our Premier—such as the digital economy, green economy, and energy security—these emerging topics all need to be clearly communicated through the media so that the people fully understand them. Only then can everyone support the development directions of Sarawak and the nation together."
He stressed that the media serves as an important bridge between the government and the people.
Fadillah stated that the current global geopolitical situation is filled with uncertainty, and together with challenges in the energy sector such as supply disruptions and rising costs, these may all affect development plans for both the nation and Sarawak, as well as the government's ability to provide assistance to the people.
Therefore, he believes the media plays an indispensable role in maintaining social stability and public confidence, and must ensure that society receives accurate information so that the country can remain focused on sustainable development.
He pointed out that although Sarawak, thanks to clear development policies, long-term planning, and continuous measures benefiting the people, maintains relatively stable overall conditions, it must still actively address the challenges posed by political uncertainty and economic pressure.
He said: "We should consider how to help ease political tensions, while also redirecting society's focus toward more pressing economic challenges, because these challenges could also have social impacts on our communities in the future."
He also called on public communication units in Sarawak to play a more active role by providing the media with more opportunities for professional training and specialized learning, helping them improve their professional quality.
Last night (July 16), while officiating at the opening of the 2026 National Journalists Day (HAWANA) Sarawak Celebration and the 2026 Sarawak Media Conference (SMEC) banquet at Pullman Hotel Kuching, Fadillah stated:
"To provide accurate and truthful news reporting, we must equip journalists with the professional knowledge and skills relevant to the fields they cover."
"If journalists do not truly grasp the related issues, it becomes difficult to report accurately and to explain these topics to the public in a way that's easy for everyone to understand."
He pointed out that the media industry must continue to invest in talent cultivation and professional training to ensure that journalists remain competitive and professional in this rapidly changing digital era.
He said that modern reporters not only need interviewing and writing skills, but should also familiarize themselves with several new areas, including: Data Analytics; Digital Security; Fact-checking; Data Journalism; ethical applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI); and Cross-platform Reporting.
Fadillah emphasized that even more importantly, in the digital age, journalists should also develop the ability to become "influencers", transforming complex policies and issues into information that is simple and easy to understand, effectively conveying key messages to the public.
He said: "When it comes to development agendas driven by our Premier—such as the digital economy, green economy, and energy security—these emerging topics all need to be clearly communicated through the media so that the people fully understand them. Only then can everyone support the development directions of Sarawak and the nation together."
He stressed that the media serves as an important bridge between the government and the people.
Fadillah stated that the current global geopolitical situation is filled with uncertainty, and together with challenges in the energy sector such as supply disruptions and rising costs, these may all affect development plans for both the nation and Sarawak, as well as the government's ability to provide assistance to the people.
Therefore, he believes the media plays an indispensable role in maintaining social stability and public confidence, and must ensure that society receives accurate information so that the country can remain focused on sustainable development.
He pointed out that although Sarawak, thanks to clear development policies, long-term planning, and continuous measures benefiting the people, maintains relatively stable overall conditions, it must still actively address the challenges posed by political uncertainty and economic pressure.
He said: "We should consider how to help ease political tensions, while also redirecting society's focus toward more pressing economic challenges, because these challenges could also have social impacts on our communities in the future."