The inaugural Sarawak Media Conference (SMeC) 2024, held on May 26-27 at the Riverside Majestic Hotel, marked a significant step in the evolution of the media industry in Sarawak. The event, which coincided with National Journalists Day (Hawana), was officiated by Premier YAB Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr.) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg and focused on the theme, “Evolution of Media in the Digital Era.”
Premier’s Vision for a Digital Media Future
In his opening speech, Premier YAB Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr.) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg emphasised the critical role of the media in Sarawak’s digital economy. He noted that the transition from traditional to digital media is essential for effectively communicating the state’s digital agenda to the public.
“The initiative is hoped to serve as a platform to explore the development of the media industry towards a digital agenda,” said the Premier.
Addressing AI and Ethical Journalism
Kuching Division Journalists’ Association (KDJA) President Ronnie Teo highlighted that the conference was designed to address current trends and challenges in the media landscape, particularly the rise of artificial intelligence (AI).
“Since AI is a new technology in today’s world, we want to invite experts to talk about ethics in using AI, especially in journalism and the legal framework surrounding it,” Teo stated.
Other focal points included data journalism, social media engagement, and netizen journalism, aiming to elevate media practitioners in terms of digital competence and ethical standards.
Engagement and Capacity Building
The conference gathered over 1,000 media practitioners from Malaysia and neighbouring countries, including representatives from Brunei, Singapore, Indonesia, and beyond. Angkatan Zaman Mansang Sarawak (Azam) CEO Ali Suhaili expressed enthusiasm for the event, highlighting its role in helping the media industry to adapt to technological advancements.
Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department, Datuk Abdullah bin Haji Saidol, reinforced the government’s commitment to supporting media professionals.
“Our goal is not just to adapt to the digital era but to thrive in it, leveraging technology to tell our stories, preserve our heritage, and drive sustainable development.”
Datuk Abdullah also underscored the importance of participatory communication, which he believes is crucial for the success of Sarawak’s digital economy agenda.
Call for a Global Media Code of Ethics
In addition, Premier proposed the establishment of a global code of ethics for the media industry to address the challenges posed by new technologies. He suggested that the media profession should develop guidelines that advocate the responsible use of digital tools and technology.
“There must be proper procedures in managing and disseminating information. My suggestion is a code of ethics drawn up by journalists themselves with a responsibility towards ensuring the wellbeing of the nation and mankind in general,” the Premier said.
Conference Highlights and Future Plans
The two-day event featured a series of insightful sessions by renowned speakers, including Prof Charlie Beckett from the London School of Economics, who discussed building trust in the media amidst digital disruptions, and Augustine Anthuvan from the Singapore Media Academy, who spoke on mobile journalism as a catalyst for social impact. Other notable speakers included Saidatul Ashikin Abu Hassan of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission and MPI trainer Munir Anaam.
Reflecting on the success of SMeC 2024, Premier announced plans to make the media conference an annual event, potentially on a larger scale.
“We understand technological migration occurs rapidly, requiring us to adapt to the technology used in the media industry. Today, I believe it is essential not only to be dominant in our space for transmitting signals, data, and information but also to understand the hardware being used,” he noted.
The next edition of SMeC is anticipated to include a broader range of topics and participants, with potential exhibitions of the latest media technology. The Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) has been proposed as the venue to accommodate a larger audience and more extensive activities.
Support and Participation
SMeC 2024 was organised by the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS) and the Kuching Division Journalists Association (KDJA), with support from Angkatan Zaman Mansang (Azam) Sarawak and Business Events Sarawak. The event was attended by prominent figures such as State Legislative Assembly Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohammad Asfia Awang Nasar, Utility and Telecommunication Minister Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi, and Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.
As Sarawak continues to embrace the digital era, initiatives like SMeC play a vital role in ensuring that the media industry evolves to meet new challenges and opportunities, fostering a dynamic, inclusive, and ethical media landscape.
