Press groups urge for ethical use of AI in media industry
In conjunction with World Press Freedom Day, two local press groups today pushed for a more ethical use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the media industry.
In separate statements, the National Union of Journalists Malaysia (NUJM) and Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm) said while media companies embrace the new technology, it should not be used to replace journalists...
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The Sun
20-05-2025
- The Sun
AI serves as assistance to journalists, not replacement
PETALING JAYA: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is playing an increasingly prominent role in the news media landscape, offering innovative tools to boost efficiency and support media employees in their daily tasks. While Malaysian journalists recognise the benefits of integrating these tools into their routines, many also stress the need to preserve human creativity and editorial judgement in news delivery. For Hendra Winarno, a journalist with Utusan Malaysia, AI has proven to be a valuable companion in handling everyday work. 'Many routine tasks can be done faster with AI. For example, checking emails, writing reports or searching for information. It saves time and reduces stress,' said the 26-year-old reporter when contacted by theSun. While he acknowledged AI's contributions to the creative side of journalism, he cautioned against excessive dependence on it. 'You have to be careful too, do not simply rely on AI alone because it could lead to mistakes, especially when using incorrect data.' Hendra said AI's true value lies in its ability to enhance learning and promote skill development among journalists, making the job more engaging. A reporter from an English-language daily, who asked to be identified only as D, described AI as a powerful tool that acts as a support system rather than a replacement. She said AI tools help her work more efficiently, especially when time is tight, by handling the more tedious aspects of journalism, such as transcribing interviews, translating speeches and fact-checking. 'AI does not write my stories; I do. But it frees up my time so that I can focus on crafting stronger narratives and asking sharper questions. It enhances my workflow but it does not replace it.' D warned that while AI can speed up processes, it lacks emotional intelligence and cultural nuance, which are crucial to delivering compelling journalism. 'I always double-check the facts, re-frame the tone and ensure the final product reflects a human perspective, not a machine's,' she said. National Union of Journalists Malaysia secretary-general Teh Athira Yusof said while there are risks and challenges tied to the use of AI in journalism, the technology also offers opportunities that should not be overlooked. She added that the union is open to working with the soon-to-be-established Malaysian Media Council to develop guidelines regulating AI use in the local media industry. 'We hope that, with the media council, more guidelines could be issued. The union is ready to offer assistance on the matter in the future. 'There is a need for the ethical use of AI within journalism as the technology should not replace the talent, skill and creativity possessed by journalists. These are qualities that must be recognised and valued. This is important as it also secures better welfare for journalists working in the industry,' she said in a WhatsApp reply to theSun. She noted that several established media organisations in Malaysia have begun incorporating AI into their operations. Teh warned that human oversight remains crucial to maintaining public trust in the media, citing a recent controversy involving AI-generated content related to the Malaysian flag. 'If newsrooms are using AI, it must be done with proper checks and balances. We have seen improper use of AI with the flag issue. News organisations must be transparent in how they use AI. It should assist, not replace, the editors and journalists who are working hard on the ground.'
The Star
18-05-2025
- The Star
From two popes to journos
WORLD Press Freedom Day came and went on May 3. Weren't we all so preoccupied with one thing or another so significant that the day passed us by? Two popes have some reminders. 'In our different roles and services, never give in to mediocrity. The church must face the challenges posed by the times. "In the same way, communication and journalism do not exist outside of time and history. "Saint Augustine reminds us of this when he said, 'Let us live well, and the times will be good. We are the times.'' – Pope Leo XIV's address to the media on May 12, 2025. Mark that word: mediocrity. Only four days into his papacy, Pope Leo XIV, 69, the first United States-born and Augustinian pope, found time to meet with members of the international media – not only to acknowledge their special coverage and backbreaking work that lasted from Holy Week to the death and funeral of Pope Francis, and then keeping vigil while the conclave to elect the new pope was going on – but, more importantly, to deliver a message so distinctly written for the media. The first words newly elected Pope Leo XIV exclaimed on the balcony facing thousands at St. Peter's Square were greetings of peace. 'Peace be to all of you,' Jesus' own words after His resurrection. The new pope's first words to members of the international media were also about peace. 'In the Sermon on the Mount,' he began, 'Jesus proclaimed: 'Blessed are the peacemakers' (Matthew 5:9). This is a Beatitude that challenges all of us, but it is particularly relevant to you, calling each one of you to strive for a different kind of communication ... we must say 'no' to the war of words and images, we must reject the paradigm of war.' While I was reading the full text of his address (a little more than 800 words, the length of an Inquirer column piece), I imagined him writing it himself in the dead of night, aware that he would be facing communicators, storytellers, and truth-tellers of different stripes who, like him, have come from the trenches. It was therefore not a surprise when in his second paragraph, he expressed 'the church's solidarity with journalists who are imprisoned for seeking and reporting the truth, while also asking for their release.' I thought of 26-year-old journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio, who has been languishing in a Tacloban City detention cell for five years now, facing terrorism charges. 'The church recognises in these witnesses – I am thinking of those who report on war even at the cost of their lives – the courage of those who defend dignity, justice and the right of people to be informed, because only informed individuals can make free choices. "The suffering of these imprisoned journalists challenges the conscience of nations, and the international community calls on all of us to safeguard the precious gift of free speech and the press.' The new pope stressed that 'communication is not only the transmission of information, it is also the creation of a culture, of human and digital environments that become spaces for dialogue and discussion.' He noted the 'immense potential' of artificial intelligence, which, he said, 'nevertheless requires responsibility and discernment in order to ensure that it can be used for the good of all so that it can benefit all of humanity.' Pope Leo XIV did not miss out on Pope Francis' own message for this year's World Day of Social Communications: 'Let us disarm communication of all prejudice and resentment, fanaticism, and even hatred, let us free it from aggression. "We do not need loud, forceful communication but rather communication that is capable of listening and of gathering the voices of the weak who have no voice.' When Pope Francis honoured two veteran Vatican journalists in 2021, he gave the exhortation 'Listen, deepen, tell.' 'Your mission is to explain the world,' he said, 'to make it less dark, to make those who live there fear it less and look at others with greater awareness and also with more confidence ... "It is difficult to think, meditate, deepen, stop to collect ideas and to study the contexts and precedents of a news item. The risk, you know well, is that of letting oneself be crushed by the news instead of being able to make sense of it. 'This is why I encourage you to preserve and cultivate that sense of mission, which is at the origin of your choice. "And I do it with three verbs that I think can characterise good journalism: listen, deepen, tell.' For truth-tellers, here's one from St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430 A.D): 'The truth is like a lion; you don't have to defend it. Let it loose; it will defend itself.' I hear a leonine roar. Mabuhay si (Long live) Pope Leo XIV at si +Pope Francis! — Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
The Sun
06-05-2025
- The Sun
New chapter for press freedom
AS Malaysia joined the annual global celebration of World Press Freedom Day by the United Nations on May 3, the nation stood at a pivotal moment for media freedom, ethical journalism and reform. This year's theme, 'Reporting in the Brave New World – The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media', resonates in a country where the struggle for press independence and ethical journalism has spanned generations, now reshaped by the disruptive power of artificial intelligence (AI). In February, the Malaysian Parliament passed the long-anticipated Malaysian Media Council (MMC) Bill. This landmark move comes 50 years after the idea was first proposed by Malaysia's second prime minister, the late Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, in 1974. The bill's passing is seen as a historic moment for the local media landscape, marking decades of advocacy by journalists, media organisations and press freedom advocates. It promises a council that will protect press freedom, uphold ethical standards and provide an industry-led alternative to restrictive laws such as the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984. After multiple attempts, shifting political landscapes and recurring debates on the council's structure and independence, the MMC Bill was finally passed this year. Challenges of AI in journalism As Malaysia celebrates this legislative breakthrough, it faces new challenges, such as the integration of AI in journalism. AI is rapidly transforming Malaysia's media landscape, offering opportunities and challenges for press freedom and journalistic integrity – issues that the council should prioritise. AI technologies are now embedded in newsrooms, powering automated news writing, AI-generated news anchors, real-time transcription, personalised content delivery and multilingual capabilities. These innovations promise greater newsroom efficiency and powerful tools for combating misinformation. However, the rapid adoption of AI also introduces complex challenges such as job displacement, algorithmic bias, data privacy and intellectual property rights. Additionally, concerns over AI 'hallucinations' – where generative AI produces plausible-sounding but misleading information – are growing. Ironically, while AI has shown promise in addressing misinformation, it risks undermining trust if not governed responsibly. This dual-edged nature of AI underscores the urgent need for robust ethical guidelines and regulatory oversight – an area where the council must lead decisively. A stark reminder of these risks came just days before the MMC Bill was passed. A popular social media platform's AI moderation system mistakenly blocked the accounts of several Malaysian news organisations after they reported on a high-profile sexual assault case. The AI flagged the content as violating community standards and failed to distinguish between responsible journalism and harmful material, resulting in legitimate news outlets being deplatformed. This incident raised significant concerns within the media sector. It highlighted the challenge of AI moderation, where automated systems struggle to differentiate between responsible media reporting and other types of content. There is a need for platforms to refine their moderation mechanisms and consider a differentiated status for verified media organisations to ensure fair treatment on digital platforms. This episode highlights a crucial issue that while AI is tasked with content moderation without adequate human oversight, press freedom can become collateral damage. As social media platforms increasingly rely on AI, the risk grows that algorithms – rather than editors or journalists – will determine which news reaches the public, raising questions about transparency, accountability and freedom of expression. Towards responsible AI integration In Malaysia's digital-first media environment, where social media platforms serve both as news sources and misinformation vectors, responsible AI integration is more urgent than ever. Initiatives aimed at tackling misinformation and collaborations between the government and tech companies are important but enforcement remains inconsistent. The vision for the MMC Bill, focused on setting high standards and governance, must now include clear frameworks for AI use in journalism, ensuring it supports rather than undermines press freedom. On this World Press Freedom Day, Malaysia celebrated a milestone that honours its long-standing struggle for independent journalism. With the establishment of the MMC Bill and the growing focus on responsible AI integration, the nation moves towards a future where the press is both free and forward-thinking – informing, challenging and inspiring in an increasingly digital and AI-driven world. Philip Gan Chee Keat is programme director of the Bachelor of Mass Communication (Honours) and lecturer at the School of Media and Communication, Faculty of Social Sciences and Leisure Management at Taylor's University. Comments: letters@
