KUCHING: Sarawak’s media plays a unique role in connecting the state’s diverse communities while serving as a strategic partner in communicating development policies and preparing the public for the state’s future.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Amar Fadillah Yusof said Sarawak’s rich cultural, linguistic and ethnic diversity places greater responsibility on media practitioners, whose role extends far beyond reporting the news.
“Sarawak occupies a unique position in Malaysia’s media landscape. The state is rich in cultural, linguistic and ethnic diversity.
“Therefore, the role of the media in Sarawak goes far beyond simply reporting the news,” he said when officiating at the Sarawak Media Conference (SMeC) 2026 and National Journalists’ Day (HAWANA) 2026 Sarawak-level dinner at a hotel here on Thursday (Jul 16) evening.
Fadillah said the media acts as a bridge between communities by connecting people of different races and backgrounds, linking urban and rural populations, giving voice to local communities and showcasing Sarawak’s unique cultural heritage.
The media also plays an increasingly important role in communicating development initiatives in a way that is inclusive, accessible and easily understood by the public, he said.
“In the context of regional development, the media plays an important role in explaining infrastructure projects, the energy transition agenda, the green economy, energy security, digital transformation and initiatives aimed at improving the people’s well-being,” Fadillah said.
As Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, he said he greatly values the media as a strategic partner in ensuring the public receives accurate, factual and responsible information on increasingly complex policy matters.
“In facing climate change, global geopolitical uncertainties, as well as an increasingly complex energy and water landscape, clear and credible communication is essential to ensure government policies and initiatives are properly understood.
“This allows the people to evaluate decisions based on facts rather than perception or speculation,” he said.
Recognising that the media’s responsibilities continue to evolve alongside technology and increasingly specialised subject matter, Fadillah urged media organisations to invest continuously in developing their workforce.
He said journalists today require competencies that extend beyond writing and reporting, including data analytics, digital security, ethical use of artificial intelligence (AI), fact-checking, data journalism and cross-platform reporting.
“Investment in young talent and continuous training is the key to ensuring Malaysia’s media industry remains relevant and competitive,” he said.
Fadillah also suggested that the Sarawak Public Communications Unit (UKAS) continue supporting media practitioners by helping them strengthen their understanding of specialised fields that are increasingly becoming part of news reporting.
He said journalists need to possess in-depth knowledge of the subjects they cover so they can present complex issues accurately while making them easier for the public to understand.
“In today’s digital world, media practitioners must also become influencers in the positive sense by making information easier to understand and helping explain important issues to the people,” he said.
