CM Calls for Fair, Just and Responsible News
Estimated Reading Time: 2 minutes
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor renewed calls for maintaining a fair and responsible media environment, ensuring that all voices are heard and respected. The government gives media freedom to ensure journalistic excellence. However, Hajiji said that freedom comes with responsibility.
"Responsible reporting impacts the integrity of news reporting. Journalists and media organisations have a responsibility to uphold ethical standards, including verifying and cross-checking information with credible sources and providing balanced coverage, to ensure that reporting remains neutral, objective, and free from undue influence," the CM said. "Let us continue to promote press freedom. Let us combat misinformation and uphold the fundamental principles of transparency, integrity and accountability.” The Chief Minister shared his views on media freedom and related issues on 17 September 2024 during a speech at the Sin Chew Daily's 95th Anniversary celebrations and Sabah Celebrities Award ceremony at the Hakka Hall, Kota Kinabalu.
Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun, State Minister of Finance, delivered Hajiji’s speech.Hajiji said that Sin Chew Daily is still relevant as a news source. "For 95 years, Sin Chew Daily has been a responsible leader in the Malaysian press and it is an influential media player in the Asian region," the CM said. "We look forward to Sin Chew Daily's continuing efforts to leverage its media influence to contribute positively to progress and development."
On the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission’s plan to license social media services commencing January 2025, Hajiji commented that fake and harmful news have flooded cyberspace and especially on social media. “Hate speeches and comments; racial and religious incitements; cyberbullying; character assassination; fake news; and frauds: these intents put into words and published, they sow discord and cause harm to many," he said. Therefore, the CM said that Sabah supports MCMC's plan to establish a code of conduct for social media platforms to curb these negatives.
