Sabah Journalists welcome digital transformation allocation, urge inclusive implementation and support for stringers
Mariah Doksil
KOTA KINABALU (June 15): The Sabah Journalists Association (SJA) has welcomed the federal government's allocation for digital transformation in the media sector, calling it a timely recognition of journalism's evolving role in an increasingly digital and AI-driven world.
In a statement on Sunday, SJA President Mariah Doksil said the initiative reflects the government's acknowledgment of the media's vital contribution towards building an informed and democratic society.
'The Sabah Journalists Association (SJA) welcomes the digital transformation allocation. We view it as a significant recognition in shaping an informed and democratic society,' she said.
Mariah stressed that the allocation presents an opportunity for media practitioners to equip themselves with new skills, adapt to modern tools, and enhance storytelling quality in the face of rapid technological advancements.
'In a world increasingly shaped by AI, journalists must be equipped with the right competencies to remain relevant and ethical. We hope that any training or programmes under this allocation will help journalists not only prioritise factual accuracy without AI manipulation, but also retain the human soul, 'ada jiwa' and empathy in journalism,' she added.
She also underscored the need for inclusive implementation of the programme, urging meaningful engagement with state-level media associations.
'Engagement sessions with state-level media associations are essential. Participation from Sabah and Sarawak should not be treated as token or a mere formality. Clear KPIs should be established to measure the programme's impact effectively,' said Mariah.
On the government's move to enhance the welfare of media stringers both local and national through the PERKESO social protection scheme and i-Saraan EPF contributions, SJA expressed its appreciation and called for accessibility and clarity in implementation.
'Local stringers are the backbone of rural coverage, while national stringers provide diverse perspectives from Sabah to the national level. These initiatives are timely and much-needed steps towards safeguarding their social protection and securing their futures. We hope these programmes will be accessible and user-friendly for the intended recipients,' she said.
Mariah also proposed the establishment of a dedicated platform to collect and maintain data on stringers nationwide, aimed at providing more structured and targeted support.
'Among our 115 active SJA members, approximately 20 percent are stringers. A centralised platform would go a long way in ensuring their needs are met and their contributions better recognised,' she added.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced an allocation of RM30 million to support media organisations in digital transformation initiatives and the adoption of new technologies for content production when officiating the National Journalists' Day (Hawana) 2025 celebration at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur on Saturday.
He said the allocation aligns with efforts to strengthen the country's media ecosystem and ensure its sustainability.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
13 hours ago
- The Star
Digital transformation funds must benefit media nationwide, says Sabah journalists' group
Sabah Journalists Association president, Mariah Doksil. KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Journalists Association (SJA) has urged the government to ensure that its latest digital transformation initiative for the media is inclusive, practical and results-driven. This is especially important for journalists in Sabah and Sarawak who often face unique on-the-ground challenges, said SJA president Mariah Doksil. In welcoming the Federal Government's RM30mil allocation for digital transformation in the media sector, she added the move was a timely recognition of journalism's evolving role in an increasingly digital and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven landscape. However, Mariah stressed that meaningful engagement with state-level media organisations must not be treated as an afterthought 'Sabah and Sarawak's inclusion must not be tokenistic. There must be clear KPIs to assess whether or not these programmes truly reach and benefit journalists (across the nation),' she said in a statement on Sunday (June 15). ALSO READ: Govt to allocate RM30mil for media digital transformation, says Anwar Mariah added that the allocation is a valuable opportunity for media practitioners to upskill and embrace new storytelling tools, provided that training is accessible and tailored to the diverse needs of journalists. 'In a world increasingly shaped by AI, journalists must remain ethical, factually accurate, and, most importantly, human in their storytelling. These programmes should help ensure that our work retains its jiwa, the soul and empathy that define meaningful journalism,' she said. Mariah stressed the importance of proper consultation with local media bodies such as SJA to ensure that no one is left behind. The RM30mil allocation was announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim when officiating the National Journalists' Day (HAWANA) 2025 celebration at the World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday (June 14). The funds are intended to support digital transformation and the adoption of new technologies in the media industry. Mariah said that while the allocation is a step in the right direction, it must be translated into meaningful and measurable outcomes, not just for major media players in the peninsula, but for every journalist striving to tell stories from the rural and remote corners of Malaysia. ALSO READ: Fahmi announces founding board members of Malaysian Media Council Meanwhile, on the government's move to enhance social protection for local and national stringers – part-time or freelance journalists – through the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) and Employees Provident Fund (EPF) i-Saraan contributions, Mariah welcomed it but called for clarity in its implementation. 'Local stringers are the backbone of rural coverage, while national stringers bridge regional voices with the national narrative. These are necessary steps to safeguard their livelihoods, but the process must be straightforward and accessible,' she said. Mariah also proposed the creation of a centralised database to keep track of stringers across the country, an initiative she believes will help provide structured and targeted support. 'Of our 115 active members, around 20% are stringers. A dedicated platform would go a long way towards ensuring that their contributions are properly recognised and their needs adequately addressed,' she added. On Saturday, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil announced that social security protection for stringers would be expanded under both PERKESO and EPF.
Barnama
14 hours ago
- Barnama
MMC Act Most Significant Reform In Journalism Landscape, Realised By MADANI Govt
LUMUT, June 15 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Media Council (MMC) Act, which came into effect yesterday (June 14), marks the most significant reform in the country's journalism landscape, realised under the MADANI Government. Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the MADANI Government had succeeded in realising the establishment of the Malaysian Media Council (MMC) after nearly 50 years of anticipation among media practitioners. 'This is the most significant reform that we (MADANI Government) have introduced. With the establishment of the Media Council, media organisations can now independently and freely deliberate on matters such as journalistic ethics and the future of the media in our country, without interference or influence from any party, including the government,' he said. 'For us, especially our colleagues in Keadilan (PKR) within Pakatan Harapan, as well as our friends in UMNO who have long championed media freedom, this has become a reality with the establishment of the Media Council,' he said. He was speaking at the Communications Minister and the MADANI Community session, held in conjunction with the Northern Zone B Akademi Asas Penerangan (ASAS) programme organised by the Department of Information (JaPen) at Universiti Kuala Lumpur Malaysian Institute of Marine Engineering Technology (UniKL-MIMET) here today. Also present were Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa and JaPen director-general Julina Johan. Fahmi, at a press conference following the National Journalists' Day (HAWANA) 2025 main celebration at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL) yesterday, announced that the Malaysian Media Council (MMC) Act would come into effect on June 14, 2025. He also announced that he would soon hold a meeting with the 12 members of the MMC founding board to assist in shaping the council's next steps and future activities. The three-day HAWANA 2025 celebration, which concludes today, is organised by the Ministry of Communications, with the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) as the implementing agency.
New Straits Times
14 hours ago
- New Straits Times
MMC Act most significant reform in journalism landscape realised by Madani govt
LUMUT: The Malaysian Media Council (MMC) Act, which came into effect yesterday, marks the most significant reform in the country's journalism landscape, realised under the Madani government. Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the Madani government had succeeded in realising the establishment of the Malaysian Media Council (MMC) after nearly 50 years of anticipation among media practitioners. "This is the most significant reform that we (Madani government) have introduced. "With the establishment of the Media Council, media organisations can now independently and freely deliberate on matters such as journalistic ethics and the future of the media in our country, without interference or influence from any party, including the government," he said. "For us, especially our colleagues in Keadilan (PKR) within Pakatan Harapan, as well as our friends in Umno who have long championed media freedom, this has become a reality with the establishment of the Media Council," he said. He was speaking at the Communications Minister and the Madani Community session, held in conjunction with the Northern Zone B Akademi Asas Penerangan (ASAS) programme organised by the Department of Information at Universiti Kuala Lumpur Malaysian Institute of Marine Engineering Technology (UniKL-MIMET) here today. Also present were Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa and Information Department director-general Julina Johan. Fahmi, at a press conference following the National Journalists' Day (Hawana) 2025 main celebration at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL) yesterday, announced that the Malaysian Media Council (MMC) Act would come into effect on June 14, 2025. He also announced that he would soon hold a meeting with the 12 members of the MMC founding board to assist in shaping the council's next steps and future activities. The three-day Hawana 2025 celebration, which concludes today, is organised by the Ministry of Communications, with the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) as the implementing agency. The date May 29 was gazetted as National Journalists' Day to commemorate the publication of the first edition of "Utusan Melayu" newspaper on May 29, 1939, honouring the contributions and services of media professionals as vital agents in shaping an informed society.
