By Yasmin Ramlan
SHAH ALAM, June 14 — Media ethics should be overseen by an industry council rather than dictated by the government, said a senior media practitioner.
“It should not be launched by the government, or be set in stone, because that goes against the principles of freedom of expression and media in the country.
“A code of ethics is basic, and my fervent belief is that it should be governed by a council dedicated to professionals,” said P. Yiswaree from Malay Mail Online on Selangor Journal’s Lunch On Us! programme on Thursday.
She said this in response to a comment made by activist and former politician Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, who questioned the necessity of the Malaysian Code of Ethics for Journalists launched by Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil in February.
Fahmi had described the code, which was updated from the 1989 version published by the Malaysian Press Institute, as a guideline for media agencies.
He said this would promote professionalism and integrity of the media as a credible source of information.
Yiswaree stressed the need for a bill on the establishment of a media council to allow practitioners to self-regulate, similar to the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and the Malaysian Quantity Surveyors Association.
“This way, you have actual professionals who can differentiate right from wrong. However, I must say, we would still need to collaborate with the government.
“Whatever we do, we need the government to endorse it and to understand our working method, so it can help to push the agenda of media freedom and freedom of expression,” she said.
Yiswaree added that the most crucial aspect of the bill should be the government’s consideration of media practitioners’ opinions.
Celebrating journalists
Commenting on the annual National Journalists’ Day (Hawana), the 2024 version of which was celebrated last month, Yiswaree said it serves as an important platform for media practitioners across the country, especially as there are many misconceptions about journalism.
Among other things, she noted how some negatively perceive journalists as mere troublemakers.
“Hawana is a platform that showcases the dedication media professionals have put in over the years, and where the industry stands today, the kind of news we produce, and how our ethics have shaped us over time,” she said.
[caption id="attachment_360519" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]
P. Yiswaree from Malay Mail Online speaks to Selangor Journal during the latter’s Lunch On Us! programme on June 13, 2024. — Picture by IDA NADIRAH IBRAHIM/SELANGOR JOURNAL[/caption]
Prominent news anchor and television host Muhammed Ahmad Hamdan believes Hawana is a special occasion filled with beneficial programmes that appreciate media practitioners, especially veteran journalists.
He said these reasons make Hawana relevant, citing last month’s celebration in Kuching, Sarawak, which included discussions, forums, exhibitions and other journalism-related programmes, as an example.
Meanwhile, Yiswaree lamented the absence of platforms to lodge official reports on offences linked to the media industry, including matters of intellectual property and plagiarism.
She recalled how one of her articles was plagiarised by an irresponsible website that misquoted her, resulting in her receiving backlash.
“The point is, not many read beyond the headlines. People miss the substance (of an article) when they don’t read it in its entirety, and that’s a problem.”
Modern journalism
When asked if syllabuses used in journalism courses are current, Muhammed said yes, citing his teaching experience at Universiti Teknologi Mara as an example.
“(The university) is proactive in meeting with industry professionals to ensure syllabuses remain relevant, and updated them periodically to reflect the ever-changing landscape of the media industry in Malaysia,” he said.
Yiswaree, however, said there appears to be a lack of training among newer journalists, though she praised them for their sense of empathy in doing their duty, dispelling common misconceptions among the public.
“I find that today’s generation possesses a lot of empathy, despite often being labelled as the ‘woke’ generation. They are sensitive and understand many things well. However, I must admit there is a severe lack of training.
“I don’t think there are enough practical opportunities. There are some media agencies that offer practical training, but let’s be very honest, if you compare how the industry was two decades ago, revenue has dropped significantly,” she said.
She expressed hope that universities and colleges would take a more active role in ensuring their students receive adequate training.
“There is always this impression in journalism: ‘I want to be Christiane Amanpour.’ Yes, but look at what she did and where she is today. This is something many aspiring journalists tend to overlook.”
[caption id="attachment_360520" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]
News anchor and television host Muhammed Ahmad Hamdan speaks to Selangor Journal’s during its Lunch On Us! programme on June 13, 2024. — Picture by IDA NADIRAH IBRAHIM/SELANGOR JOURNAL[/caption]
In regard to modern journalism, Yiswaree said evolving in this industry involves adapting to artificial intelligence (AI) and digitalisation, which could enhance the way journalists craft their stories.
She also stressed the importance of collaborating with citizen journalists, giving the common people an opportunity to contribute and helping them share stories from their perspectives.
“They can give you tip-offs, and there can be good collaboration when information is harvested responsibly. I still see a lot of potential (in this approach), and I believe in it as a way to keep the journalism industry thriving,” she said.
Muhammed added that the evolution in the media industry requires practitioners to expand their scope of duties to include new media, live reporting and multitasking.
“I don’t know if it’s unfortunate or something that we should embrace, but that is what’s happening today with traditional journalists. We don’t just (report) for traditional platforms alone; we do pretty much everything,” he said.
Muhammed opined that media agencies must realistically assess the declining readership of newspapers and embrace technology.
He pointed out that even established international publications like the New York Times have raised concerns about declining newspaper circulation since 2017.
“Today, some publications are still stuck with the old mentality that people are still reading newspapers, when they are not. That’s the reality.
“Embracing this reality is crucial, and then figuring out how to move forward from there, which was exactly what Malay Mail did. I think it was a bold and necessary move that has helped ensure the survival of the news organisation,” he said.
He dismissed the notion that AI would take over journalists’ jobs, but said it can be a tool to enhance their work, making the process of delivering news faster and more effective.
