Latest news with #HAWANA2025MediaForum
Barnama
19 hours ago
- Business
- Barnama
HAWANA 2025 Forum: Media Industry Told To Empower AI To Gain Competitive Edge
KUALA LUMPUR, June 14 (Bernama) -- The media industry has been urged to empower artificial intelligence (AI) by actively shaping its development and use to gain a competitive advantage. FMT Sdn Bhd's head of Bahasa Malaysia and video unit, Zahrul Alam Yahya Shahir, said the media plays a crucial role in feeding the data that AI systems learn from. Speaking at the HAWANA 2025 Media Forum today, he noted that AI performs best when trained on structured content, as the technology prefers content that clearly outlines the issue and explains the problem. "The content that AI gives us comes from us. That's why I say it's time for us to empower AI with our content… the analytic content that we put into social media and whatnot. "Don't be afraid with AI; we (the media) have long survived alongside it," he said at today's forum titled "AI & Media: Tool, Threat or Opportunity?". He said that media practitioners should be the ones empowering AI, not the other way around. Another panellist, Astro AWANI senior editor Nazri Kahar, emphasised that technologies such as AI should not be seen as a threat but an opportunity that the media industry must embrace. He said journalism is at a critical crossroads, demanding that media practitioners quickly adapt to technological advancements. "This is a crucial moment for us to seize the opportunity. We should not view technologies as enemies that will erase the media industry. Instead, we must set boundaries, adapt and move forward," he said.
The Sun
20 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
HAWANA 2025 Forum: Media industry told to empower AI to gain competitive edge
KUALA LUMPUR: The media industry has been urged to empower artificial intelligence (AI) by actively shaping its development and use to gain a competitive advantage. FMT Sdn Bhd's head of Bahasa Malaysia and video unit, Zahrul Alam Yahya Shahir, said the media plays a crucial role in feeding the data that AI systems learn from. Speaking at the HAWANA 2025 Media Forum today, he noted that AI performs best when trained on structured content, as the technology prefers content that clearly outlines the issue and explains the problem. 'The content that AI gives us comes from us. That's why I say it's time for us to empower AI with our content... the analytic content that we put into social media and whatnot. 'Don't be afraid with AI; we (the media) have long survived alongside it,' he said at today's forum titled 'AI & Media: Tool, Threat or Opportunity?'. He said that media practitioners should be the ones empowering AI, not the other way around. Another panellist, Astro AWANI senior editor Nazri Kahar, emphasised that technologies such as AI should not be seen as a threat but an opportunity that the media industry must embrace. He said journalism is at a critical crossroads, demanding that media practitioners quickly adapt to technological advancements. 'This is a crucial moment for us to seize the opportunity. We should not view technologies as enemies that will erase the media industry. Instead, we must set boundaries, adapt and move forward,' he said. Nazri recounted a personal experience, going live for the Sibu by-election in 2010 using only an iPhone instead of expensive conventional broadcast equipment such as satellite systems. 'It was a new approach at that time. We used Skype (a telecommunication application to make voice and video calls and send instant messages), and the results were impressive,' he said, adding that the experience revealed the potential of technology to many people in journalism. Elaborating, he said that media organisations should not be bound by traditional approaches, focusing on concerns over audio and visual quality; instead, they should prioritise news value and timeliness in delivering information. Moderated by Bernama TV anchor and broadcast journalist Jessy Chahal, more than 250 media practitioners, academicians, and students joined the forum. Also present were Malaysian Press Institute (MPI) president Datuk Yong Soo Heong, MPI chief executive officer Ainol Amriz Ismail, Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin and Bernama editor-in-chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj, who also serves as HAWANA 2025 project director. HAWANA 2025, the largest gathering of Malaysian media practitioners, themed 'Journalism in the New Era: Embracing AI, Safeguarding Ethics', is organised by the Communications Ministry and Bernama as the implementing agency.
The Sun
20 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
Media Urged to Empower AI for Competitive Edge at HAWANA 2025
KUALA LUMPUR: The media industry has been urged to empower artificial intelligence (AI) by actively shaping its development and use to gain a competitive advantage. FMT Sdn Bhd's head of Bahasa Malaysia and video unit, Zahrul Alam Yahya Shahir, said the media plays a crucial role in feeding the data that AI systems learn from. Speaking at the HAWANA 2025 Media Forum today, he noted that AI performs best when trained on structured content, as the technology prefers content that clearly outlines the issue and explains the problem. 'The content that AI gives us comes from us. That's why I say it's time for us to empower AI with our content... the analytic content that we put into social media and whatnot. 'Don't be afraid with AI; we (the media) have long survived alongside it,' he said at today's forum titled 'AI & Media: Tool, Threat or Opportunity?'. He said that media practitioners should be the ones empowering AI, not the other way around. Another panellist, Astro AWANI senior editor Nazri Kahar, emphasised that technologies such as AI should not be seen as a threat but an opportunity that the media industry must embrace. He said journalism is at a critical crossroads, demanding that media practitioners quickly adapt to technological advancements. 'This is a crucial moment for us to seize the opportunity. We should not view technologies as enemies that will erase the media industry. Instead, we must set boundaries, adapt and move forward,' he said. Nazri recounted a personal experience, going live for the Sibu by-election in 2010 using only an iPhone instead of expensive conventional broadcast equipment such as satellite systems. 'It was a new approach at that time. We used Skype (a telecommunication application to make voice and video calls and send instant messages), and the results were impressive,' he said, adding that the experience revealed the potential of technology to many people in journalism. Elaborating, he said that media organisations should not be bound by traditional approaches, focusing on concerns over audio and visual quality; instead, they should prioritise news value and timeliness in delivering information. Moderated by Bernama TV anchor and broadcast journalist Jessy Chahal, more than 250 media practitioners, academicians, and students joined the forum. Also present were Malaysian Press Institute (MPI) president Datuk Yong Soo Heong, MPI chief executive officer Ainol Amriz Ismail, Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin and Bernama editor-in-chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj, who also serves as HAWANA 2025 project director. HAWANA 2025, the largest gathering of Malaysian media practitioners, themed 'Journalism in the New Era: Embracing AI, Safeguarding Ethics', is organised by the Communications Ministry and Bernama as the implementing agency.
Borneo Post
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Fahmi: Appointment of MMC Founding Board finalised
Malaysian Media Council (MMC) pro-tem committee chairman Premesh Chandran speaks during the HAWANA 2025 Media Forum titled 'Malaysian Media Council: Regulator or Media Protector?' held here today. KUALA LUMPUR (June 14): Minister of Communications, Datuk Fahmi Fadzil today announced that the Founding Board of the Malaysian Media Council (MMC) has been finalised. He said the Founding Board would comprise 12 people, with four representatives for each category, namely the media company category, category for media association, media practitioners and independent media practitioners as well as the non-media member category. Fahmi said the MMC Governing Board comprises Borneo Post and Utusan Borneo general manager, Wong Yang Yong; Daily Express editor-in-chief Datuk Sardahthisa James; Malaysiakini chief executive officer Premesh Chandran Jeyachandran and Astro Awani editor-in-chief Ashwad Ismail. It also comprises National Union of Journalists Peninsular Malaysia (NUJ) secretary-general Teh Athira Mohamed Yusof; Kuching Journalists Association president, Ronnie Teo Teck Wei, Gerakan Media Merdeka president Mohd Radzi Abdul Razak, Tamil Media Association of Malaysia president S. Muthameez Manan and Mohd Azmyl bin Md Yusof. Other members of the MMC Governing Board are academicians Gayathry S. Venkiteswaran, Celine Lim and Terence Ooi Guan Tseng. Themed 'Journalism in the New Era: Embracing AI, Safeguarding Ethics', the summit, attended by about 1,000 media practitioners from home and abroad, was officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Also present were Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Dr Zaliha Mustafa and Deputy Minister of Communications Teo Nie Ching. Also present were Ministry of Communications secretary-general Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa, Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai, Bernama chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, Bernama editor-in-chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj, cum director of HAWANA 2025 Project, along with top management of national media companies. Fahmi was previously reported to have said that MMC is expected to be established and play its role starting the middle of this year after the Malaysian Media Council (MMC) Bill 2024 was passed in Parliament in February. MMC will act as a self-regulatory body that protects media freedom and ensures that journalistic ethics are adhered to, thus empowering the media industry in Malaysia. The HAWANA 2025 celebration, organised by the Ministry of Communications with Bernama as the implementing agency, aims to recognise the role and contribution of media practitioners in national development. May 29 was gazetted as National Journalists' Day in conjunction with the publication of the first edition of Utusan Melayu newspaper on May 29, 1939, to celebrate the contributions of industry players who are the medium in shaping the minds of an informed society. fahmi fadzil Malaysian Media Council media faculty
Barnama
20 hours ago
- Business
- Barnama
Media Council Not Just Regulator, But Key Support For Local Media
(From left) International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation, International Islamic University Malaysia (ISTAC-IIUM) Professor Datuk Ahmad Murad Merican, Star Media Group senior news editor Philip Golingai, Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) executive director Wathshlah G Naidu and Malaysian Media Council (MMC) pro-tem committee chairman Premesh Chandran during the HAWANA 2025 Media Forum titled 'Malaysian Media Council: Regulator or Media Protector?' today. The forum was moderated by Bernama TV anchor and broadcast journalist Jessy Chahal. KUALA LUMPUR, June 14 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Media Council (MMC) will serve not only as a regulatory body, but also a key support system for local media agency and practitioners to safeguards the industry amidst rapid technological advancements. MMC pro-tem committee chairman Premesh Chandran said industry players should view the Council's framework as a form of strategic collaboration, rather than merely a regulatory mechanism. He emphasised that its focus should be on empowering the industry to function effectively, rather than solely on punitive measures. Speaking as a panelist at HAWANA 2025 Media Forum today, he however agrees with the panelist for the media to be accountable for the content it produces and MMC will ensure a fair and balanced measure for a more conducive industry. 'The goal is to help the media industry thrive as it plays its role in informing society, holding the government accountable, and ensuring that the society knowledgeable and well-informed, so that we can make sound decisions about our democracy and policies. 'So, can the Media Council achieve that? That is the ultimate objective, to support the media industry in doing good work while ensuring its long-term sustainability (as) I think the biggest constraint many of us face today is financial (limitations),' he said during the HAWANA 2025 Media Forum titled 'Malaysian Media Council: Regulator or Media Protector?' held here today. The session was also joined by Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) executive director Wathshlah G Naidu, Star Media Group senior news editor Philip Golingai and International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation, International Islamic University Malaysia (ISTAC-IIUM) Professor Datuk Ahmad Murad Merican. Moderated by Bernama TV anchor and broadcast journalist Jessy Chahal, the forum were joined by more than 250 journalists, media practitioners, academicians and students. Also present, Malaysian Press Institute (MPI) president Datuk Yong Soo Heong, MPI chief executive officer Ainol Amriz Ismail, Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin and Bernama editor-in-chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj, who is also the project director for HAWANA 2025. Sharing the same sentiment, Wathshlah opined that MMC should not function solely as a regulatory body, but also serve as a mechanism to rebuild public trust in the media by promoting media literacy and ethical journalism.
