KUCHING: Sarawak media practitioners have been urged to step up as key partners in the state’s development by delivering fair, responsible and balanced reporting amid the rapidly evolving and increasingly complex digital landscape.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said today’s media landscape has changed, with anyone now able to become an information provider through smartphones and social media.
“Now everyone thinks they are a media influencer. With just a phone you can do many things; some users spread false or incomplete information, and some are very skilled at politicising issues until good things appear bad,” he said.
He made these remarks while speaking at a media dinner held in conjunction with the 2026 Chinese New Year celebration on Thursday (Feb 12).
However, he stressed that professional media and journalism remain important as credible sources of reference for the public and must ensure reporting is conducted fairly and in a balanced manner.
He said that positive reporting is not meant to praise any particular party, but rather to ensure information is delivered comprehensively and fairly to the public.
“Media practitioners must maintain a professional approach by providing a full picture of any issue so that the public can gain an accurate understanding,” he said.
He also encouraged media practitioners to help cultivate positive narratives for Sarawak’s future development.
“We need Sarawak’s media practitioners to show leadership, courage and wisdom in saying ‘no’ to negative narratives that create division and polarise public opinion, as such approaches are inappropriate and incompatible with this critical phase of Sarawak’s nation-building” he said.
