KUALA LUMPUR – National Press Club (NPC) president Datuk Ahirudin Attan has reminded the media of its role in advocating for causes that benefit the people rather than serving political interests.
During the launch of the National Press Club’s upcoming Professional Development Series (PDS) Programme, Ahirudin expressed concern over the increasing prevalence of gossip-based stories in local journalism, noting that such stories tend to attract more engagement.
While acknowledging the potential benefits of tabloids to media outlets, Ahirudin – who is affectionately known as Rocky Bru – stressed the importance of striking a balance between sensational gossip articles and news that has practical relevance for the public.
“I am not saying that we should not indulge (in gossip stories) at all. I am saying that we need to balance it with news and articles that people can use to improve their lives.
“We need to go back to the times where we champion the causes that benefit the people, not those that benefit politics,” he said during his speech at the Tun Abdul Razak Broadcasting and Information Institute (IPPTAR), yesterday evening.
Ahirudin – who is also the executive director of Big Boom Media, which publishes Scoop – said the PDS programme is NPC’s “little effort” to develop more skills for reporters to navigate the ever-changing media landscape, and tackle its challenges online.
He emphasised the crucial role of local journalists in nation-building and institutional reforms, underscoring the need for them to be more intellectual and knowledgeable.
Addressing the relationship between media outlets and the MCMC, Ahirudin noted that, while media outlets often criticise MCMC chairman Tan Sri Mohamad Salim Fateh Din when blogs are blocked, the agency also supports outlets in conflicts with social media giants such as TikTok and Facebook.
Salim was present at the launch, along with Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching, Communications Ministry deputy secretary-general (Strategic Communications and Creative Industry) Nik Kamaruzaman Nik Husin, and IPPTAR Academy division chief S. Kumaran.
Scheduled from January 9 to February 29 next year, the upcoming PDS programme will be held across eight states and two federal territories in Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Johor, Penang, Perak, Pahang, Sabah, and Sarawak.
The programme aims to provide journalists with the necessary communication skills and practical knowledge needed for career advancement, as well as professional development, in an industry that focuses on disseminating information to readers.
It consists of four modules that cover pertinent topics, such as content regulation, cyber security, crisis management, and impact analysis.
In addition to the MCMC and IPPTAR, the programme’s strategic partners include the Crisis Management Centre, as well as the Communications and Multimedia Content Forum. – December 15, 2023