SEPANG, Sept 29 (Bernama) — Aviation journalism demands accuracy, context and responsibility as the way aviation-related stories are reported can either build trust or erode confidence in the industry, according to Malaysian Press Institute (MPI) president Datuk Yong Soo Heong.
He said journalists play a crucial role in maintaining public confidence in the aviation system, particularly when covering safety issues, incidents and regulatory decisions.
“In a world where news travels faster, misinformation could spread turbulence far beyond Malaysia’s borders.
“When a safety directive is issued, when a new route is opened, when an incident or accident occurs, the way journalists report it can either build trust or erode it.
“Aviation journalism demands accuracy, context, and responsibility. It is not enough to chase headlines; we must provide clarity,” he said at the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM)-MPI Media Literacy Programme here today.
Yong said aviation journalism was not a niche field but a vital bridge between regulators, industry and the public.
“The stories we tell about aviation shape perceptions, influence policy, and reassure consumers, both locally and internationally,” he stressed.
He said MPI was committed to equipping journalists to meet the demands of aviation reporting through deeper training, sharper analysis and closer collaboration with institutions such as CAAM.
Yong described the programme as among the most detailed and far-reaching journalism literacy programmes organised by MPI, saying it offered journalists greater insight into the complexities of the aviation industry.
He also described CAAM as a modern and professional regulator of Malaysia’s skies, saying the authority had come a long way from its origins as the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA).
Yong said MPI would continue to encourage deeper training, sharper analysis and closer collaboration with institutions such as CAAM to ensure aviation journalism in Malaysia remained credible and world-class.
“Aviation is about trust – trust in systems, trust in safety, trust in communication. Journalism is the voice that carries that trust, and if we fail, confidence falters. If we succeed, Malaysia’s reputation soars,” he added.
— BERNAMA