SIBU: Traditional media is still relevant and plays an important role to link between the government with the people in Sarawak despite the emergence of the new media, Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS) director Awang Johari Awang Mustapha said.
He said many people still prefer using the traditional media as the news and information came from reliable sources.
“Despite the emergence of social media or the new media, I personally feel that the role of traditional media is still relevant and important. People refer to the traditional media to verify the news they receive through social media because as we know, the news from the social media is not always accurate.
“It is all about integrity because as a journalist, you are reporting news from reliable sources and not simply disseminating information without verifying facts,” he said during the Sibu media retreat here last night.
He said traditional media had played its role in facilitating the state government in many aspects over the years, while the close collaboration between the media in Sarawak and the government was regarded as a good partnership.
According to Awang Johari, UKAS, which was set up last August under the Chief Minister’s Department, also scanned local newspapers on daily basis to monitor issues related to the government’s delivery services.
“Other than that, the traditional print and electronic media’s role in helping to publicise and promote the government’s daily events and programmes also enable the public to learn about what was happening around them.
“Several local online news portals also play their part positively,” he added. — BERNAMA