KUALA LUMPUR, June 24: Journalists must continue to be the “voice of the people” and keep to the fundamentals of reporting the truth in the currently challenging era of easily spread misinformation and malinformation.
Making this call at the Malaysian Press Institute-PETRONAS 2024 Journalism Awards dinner event at a hotel here last Friday, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir reminded the media of their role as the Fourth Estate and not to fear when carrying out their duty of ensuring democracy with responsible reporting and serving the people with integrity.
Commending the MPI for actively promoting excellence in journalism via its various training initiatives for the advancement of media professionals as well as awards programme, Zambry said it was important for journalists to embrace new technologies to be well equipped and advance in their reporting in the present era.
Close to a thousand guests comprising corporate leaders and members as well as media heads and practitioners including editors, reporters, cameramen, graphics artists, television and radio producers, technicians attended the annual awards programmed dedicated to the recognition of excellent work from the media industry.
According to MPI, a total of 550 entries for various categories of awards were received from media organisations in the country for the 2024 MPI-PETRONAS Journalism Awards (HKM MPI-PETRONAS).
At the dinner awards ceremony, Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) Chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai was named the National Journalism Laureate.
The HKM MPI-PETRONAS Special Award was given to the late Rozaid Abdul Rahman for his immense contribution to journalism in the country while Harian Metro’s team comprising Yusmizal Dolah Aling,
Muhammad Saufi Bin Hassan, Muhaamad Hafis Nawawi and Raja Noraina Raja Rahim took home the Kajai award for their report – Rumah Penyeksaan or Torture Home – that exposed the abuse of children in several welfare homes run by GISB Holdings.
— WE