SHAH ALAM, Nov 24 — The media industry is currently facing major challenges in delivering verified news quickly to counter the surge of viral content on social media.
Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Amirudin Shari said the rapid flow of information can sometimes create confusion, as experienced previously by the state government.
“The 2021 flood disaster and the recent Putra Heights incident show that the ability of the public and authorities to disseminate accurate information is crucial in reducing unnecessary risks.
“Earlier, the case of young Zara Qairina also proved that certain viral content is difficult to control or counter with properly recorded news,” he said during the launch of the Selangor Journalists and Photographers' Association (Wajar) at the State Secretariat Building today.
Also present were state executive councillors and state assemblymen, Menteri Besar Selangor (Incorporated) or MBI chief executive officer (CEO) Dato' Saipolyazan Mat Yusop, and Media Selangor CEO Mohamed Fareed Mohamed Ashaaree.
At the event, Amirudin was announced as the patron of Wajar, an organisation established in July to champion the welfare of media practitioners in Selangor.
Wajar chairman Norrasyidah Arshad said the association brings together journalists and photographers from various organisations with the primary goal of promoting ethical journalism.
“The primary aim of this organisation is to defend the welfare of its members. The issue of low journalist salaries, including in Sabah, has drawn the Prime Minister's attention, and we acknowledge that it also occurs in Selangor.
“Nearly half of media practitioners in this state are part-time staff. This is one of the reasons behind our establishment,” she said.
Wajar currently has 80 members and is the last state-level media association registered under the Malaysian Media Clubs Federation. It is also supervised by the Communications Ministry and is registered with the Malaysian Media Council.
