KUCHING: Sarawak is ready to host future international media conferences and collaborate with media organisations to strengthen journalism and professional knowledge-sharing.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the state government welcomed opportunities to bring together local and international media practitioners to exchange experiences, expertise and best practices.
He said such collaborations would create platforms for meaningful discussions on issues affecting journalism while enabling media practitioners to learn from global perspectives.
“If you want, we can share together and work together for the sake of good journalism.
“The Sarawak Government will work with you. If you want to bring in international people to share their knowledge, their experience, their coverage and their wisdom, and if you choose Sarawak to be the venue, anytime, Sarawak is ready to be the host,” he said.
He said this when officiating at the third Sarawak Media Conference (SMeC), themed ‘Media, Trust and Governance in a Rapidly Evolving Digital World’, here today.
Earlier, Abang Johari welcomed delegates from Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak, expressing hope that the conference would generate fresh ideas to strengthen the role of the media and contribute to society amid rapid global changes.
He said the Sarawak Government continues to provide direction and support to the media to help them become among the best in the world.
“What I can tell you is that as long as Sarawak’s economy is good, we will share that with you, media,” he said.
The conference featured keynote sessions by Malaysian Media Council’s Deputy Chairman and Malaysiakini co-founder, Premesh Chandran, on media governance, balancing freedom, responsibility and public content, as well as SOL Digital’s founder, Lunnie Gan, on AI and digital marketing in media.
It also included a panel discussion titled ‘Media’s Role in an Era of Information Complexity: Trust, Truth and Timeless’, featuring Sarawak Media Group’s Chairman, Datuk Norhyati Mohd Ismail; University of Tasmania’s Professor James Chin; and Kukupiki FM Sabah & Sarawak’s founder, Rita Sim Sai Hoon; moderated by Tribune Press news editor, Sarah Hafizah Chandra.
