KUALA LUMPUR, July 17 (Bernama) — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has urged media practitioners not to lose sight of values, ethics and national identity in the race to embrace rapid technological advancement.
He said the reminder was crucial as the country risked going astray if it failed to remain vigilant against challenges that accompanied technological progress.
Anwar said while freedom in information technology, digital technology and artificial intelligence must be upheld, these new technologies should not be devoid of values, adding that the issue also deserved greater attention from columnists.
“I believe the government, through Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), has a shared responsibility to support the media.
“We will listen to views and accept criticism with an open mind because, in this matter, the country cannot afford to be divided,” the prime minister said in his speech at the Malaysian Press Night (MWM) 2026 and the Malaysian Press Institute (MPI)-PETRONAS Journalism Awards 2025, which was also attended by Fahmi, here today.
Anwar said history had shown that Western dominance of the global media enabled it to shape narratives based on its own agenda.
He said the world was now facing a new power that sought to challenge the freedom and sovereignty of nations by controlling technology and using it to advance ideological or cultural values that were sometimes alien to local societies.
“Previously, the concept of the ‘captive mind’ was associated with political and colonial influence. Today, it is driven by technology, including digitalisation. As countries strive to master emerging technologies, they also face the challenge of navigating this technological transition,” he said.
The prime minister commended MPI, with the support of PETRONAS, and the Malaysian Media Council (MMC) for their efforts to drive media innovation and reforms to ensure the country did not become trapped in a ‘captive mind’ narrative.
Anwar also expressed appreciation to media practitioners for their commitment to carrying out their responsibilities.
He thanked journalists for continuing to uphold the principles of press freedom and democracy in the country by providing views, constructive criticism and recommendations, in addition to their news coverage.
Also present were MPI President Datuk Yong Soo Heong, Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) Chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai, Bernama Chief Executive Officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, Bernama Editor-in-Chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj, and Bernama Deputy Editor-in-Chief (News Service) Mohd Shukri Ishak.
— BERNAMA