(Miri, 26th) Sarawak Minister of Transport Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin pointed out that news media shoulder a greater responsibility in the digital age. Not only do they need to convey information, but they also need to help society discern between true and false information, becoming the gatekeepers of public consciousness.
He stated this while speaking on behalf of Sarawak Deputy Premier and Minister of Public Health, Housing, and Local Government Datuk Amar Dr. Sim Kui Hian at the 50th-anniversary golden jubilee dinner of the Northern Sarawak Journalist Association, held at the Beacon Tower Banquet Hall on the fifth floor of the Mega Hotel last night. He also revealed that Dr. Sim was unable to attend due to official commitments and authorized him to speak on his behalf.
Lee Kim Shin noted that over the past 50 years, the Northern Sarawak Journalist Association has not only enhanced journalism professionalism but also upheld the credibility of news, protected member welfare, and adhered to principles of truthfulness, accuracy, and responsibility, which are commendable contributions to society.
He said that in today's era of prevalent social media, the way information is disseminated has dramatically changed. Although social media has expanded freedom of expression, it has also brought challenges of rampant misinformation. Professional media personnel, in such a time, should adhere to the duty of verifying and clarifying facts, guiding the public in understanding the complex world correctly.
He also mentioned the impact of artificial intelligence on the news sector, which brings efficiency improvements but can also lead to problems if overly relied upon. He cited examples of recent incidents where AI-generated images incorrectly omitted the crescent moon from Malaysia’s national flag, and errors related to the Ministry of Education graphics, as warnings.
“We all know what the national flag looks like, the problem is blind reliance on AI without human review. This tells us that AI can be used, but should not be blindly trusted.”
Lee Kim Shin emphasized that the media is not only a transmitter of information but also an important bridge between the government and the people. Particularly in Sarawak, the media has effectively conveyed various welfare policies, including newborn assistance funds, maternity assistance, elderly welfare, and basic assistance programs for impoverished families.
He pointed out that starting from 2026, the Sarawak government will also provide free higher education, distribute allowance for tertiary students, and offer laptops among other measures to further implement educational equity. For these policies to truly materialize, media publicity and explanation play an indispensable role.
He also urged the media to continue cooperating with the state's Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030), jointly pushing Sarawak towards the goal of being a high-income, advanced, and sustainable state and to continue playing a role in the six major sectors of manufacturing, agriculture, tourism, forestry, minerals, and services.
“We are also advancing towards new economies like the digital economy, green economy, and carbon trading, with the Prime Minister recently praising Sarawak as a national development model.”
He noted that during the COVID-19 pandemic, mainstream media upheld professionalism, correcting misinformation in a timely manner, providing crucial support for social stability and highlighting the irreplaceability of professional journalists.
“Some say traditional newspapers will disappear and the news industry will no longer be important, but I disagree. On the contrary, in today's era of conflicting opinions and fragmented information, we need professional journalism more than ever, to provide facts, context, and in-depth reporting.”
He encouraged journalists to continue pursuing factual accuracy, disseminate positive and constructive information, assist society in progressing, and incorporate values of peace, unity, and inclusion in their reporting.
“Innovation is possible, but we must not lose the essence of journalism – which is integrity, credibility, and responsibility.”
Lee Kim Shin lastly wished the Northern Sarawak Journalist Association further success in the next 50 years, continuing to convey positive energy for society, uniting the people, and inspiring the future.