KUALA LUMPUR, May 1 — Commitment to truth and factual preservation must become a shared core principle between government and media to maintain social stability, particularly in Malaysia's multicultural context, said Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Amirudin Shari.
He said both institutions face growing public scepticism, with social media increasingly replacing mainstream media as primary information sources.
“Today's reference points are social media platforms, or what former United States President Barack Obama once termed ‘the social media noise’.
“This matter becomes more evident and crucial during critical moments and times of crisis, such as floods, gas pipeline fires, Covid-19, or the 2022 Batang Kali landslide incident.
“I am not suggesting that the government and media should be in the same boat. My commitment to the Fourth Estate is clear and I will not compromise at all on this importance," Amirudin said at a Media Practitioners' Hari Raya Aidilfitri Appreciation event last night.
Present were Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) Chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai, and Bernama Chief Executive Officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin.
The Menteri Besar added that post-1998 generations grew up in digital rather than physical communities, with platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok transforming information dissemination.
“Now, with platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, everyone is a content creator. Whether authentic or not remains uncertain, but attention sells, and negative attention sells positively.
“This is what we must recognise as both a challenge and an opportunity to adapt for the sustainability of media as The Fourth Estate and for the government to administer with stability and peace,” he said.
In the context of Selangor, which faced various challenges such as floods, storms, landslides and the gas pipeline fire in Putra Heights, Amirudin hopes the media will continue to play its crucial role as an accurate conveyor of facts to the public.
He also expressed appreciation for the media's cooperation in further developing Selangor as the nation's economic backbone.
— Bernama
