KUALA LUMPUR: Traditional journalism will continue to withstand the challenges of digital media and remain a reliable source of news, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
"Just like books withstood television, traditional journalism will not go extinct despite digitalisation," he said at the Malaysian Press Institute-Petronas journalism awards ceremony here on Tuesday night.
He said traditional media organisations faced new challenges with the advent of new communication technology which had come to shape mass media and politics.
"Because of this, many organisations are not able to last. Some have had to shut down due to low newspaper and ad sales, combined with surging printing and transport costs.
"However, I believe that traditional media still has a place in today's world. It is still relevant despite the advent of new technologies, allowing it to be accessed through gadgets such as tablets and smartphones."
Ismail Sabri acknowledged the stringent process of traditional reporting, which involved rigorous fact-checking and verification to produce accurate and reliable news.
"I believe that people still believe in the credibility of (traditional media) reporters and in good old journalism.
"Certain (news) blogs only intend to sensationalise issues with inaccurate facts. However, media outlets that publish news with fairness and accuracy will succeed."
He said he regarded journalists as unsung heroes as the country battled the Covid-19 pandemic.
"They (journalists) risk being exposed to the virus while carrying out their duties so that people are aware of what is happening in the country and the world outside when we were placed under the Movement Control Order.
"Without them, it would be impossible to know what's going on. This includes daily updates (by the Health Ministry) during the daily press conferences."
He thanked journalists for their contribution and regarded them as frontliners.
"You are (our) eyes and ears, helping the government ensure prosperity for the people. As such, you can admonish (wrongdoings) constructively, so that we (the government) can deliver the best services to the people in line with the concept of Keluarga Malaysia."
Ismail Sabri said his visit to Indonesia recently allowed him to strengthen ties with Ikatan Setiakawan Wartawan Malaysia-Indonesia (ISWAMI), which was established in 2007.
"I believe that ISMAWI can play an important role as the bridge between journalists of the two nations."
He said this model could be expanded under Asean, proposing a collaboration to foster bilateral or multilateral ties.
Ismail Sabri announced that the government would maintain May 29 as the National Day for Journalists, which was first observed in 2018.
He said the government would support programmes conducted under its banner.