KUCHING: The news industry is no stranger to change.
But in a time when artificial intelligence can write headlines and misinformation spreads at the speed of a click, what anchors journalism today?
For Malia Taibi, Publisher Director at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) and a former journalist with over 13 years of experience, the answer is simple: ethics, adaptability and critical thinking.
“The use of technological advancement really helps the work of journalists. Information gathering becomes easier – you don’t have to rely entirely on setting up interviews.
“A simple WhatsApp message can get you what you need in minutes,” she told Sarawak Tribune.
At the same time, Malia pointed out how the Internet has revolutionised research.
“You can now perform quick fact-checks or background reading online, which saves time and allows reporters to focus on the story itself,” she said.
But Malia, now in academia, is also witnessing how this digital shift is reshaping journalism as a subject of study.
“The curriculum is evolving whereby we are no longer teaching just print or broadcast.
“Students now learn about mobile and digital journalism, media literacy, cybersecurity, digital ethics and even data journalism as the industry demands it,” she added.
Malia said this convergence of technology and journalism must be approached with care.
“Both have to remain adaptable, ethically grounded, and critically reflective,” Malia said further.
When it comes to artificial intelligence (AI), Malia sees it as a double-edged sword.
“It can go both ways as AI offers great opportunities. It helps in investigative journalism, especially when analysing large data sets, and can support fast fact-checking, transcription, even translation.
“But there’s a darker side. AI can generate fake news, deepfake videos, or misleading images. This can confuse the public and damage trust in the media – that’s a very real risk,” she lamented.
Malia said this is where journalism education plays a crucial role as there needs to be a stronger emphasis on ethics, covering not just as a module but also as a mindset.
“Editors must constantly remind their teams of the responsibility they carry when reporting because they cannot afford to lose that trust,” she advised.
For future journalists, Malia believes the ethical considerations around AI and automation must be taken seriously with transparency being key.
“If the content is assisted or generated by AI, students or journalist interns should be honest about it because accountability is non-negotiable. At the same time, they need to upskill – digital literacy is no longer optional.
“Journalists must know how to verify facts, fact-check with AI tools, and use those tools to detect and debunk falsehoods – not spread them,” she elaborated.
While journalism will continue to evolve with time, Malia said it is important for journalists to not lose sight of its core.
“Technology will keep changing, but integrity, truth and public trust – those should never be compromised,” Malia concluded.
