Malaysian media faces challenges securing public trust, AI

The increasing demand for unfiltered information and the rapid pace of technological development have created new challenges for Malaysian media, particularly in earning public trust and adapting to the rise of artificial intelligence.

Fathi Aris Omar, editor-in-chief of Media Selangor, said these issues have become more pressing due to the variety of platforms available for disseminating content.

“We (the press) are not only facing pressure from the authorities but are also struggling to capture public attention, especially on social media,” he said.

“It’s no longer about the credibility or ownership of a news organisation – it’s about algorithms and intense competition from other sources.”

Fathi observed that the public now tends to trust influencers more than journalists.

“Raw, unverified news is gaining popularity and is often perceived as more ‘credible’ than professionally produced reports,” he said, citing the recent gas explosion in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya, as an example.

According to the ICT Use and Access by Individuals and Households Survey Report 2024 by the Department of Statistics Malaysia, 98 per cent of households have internet access, and 99 per cent of users spend time on social media via mobile phones.

Fathi was speaking at a recent forum organised by Geramm, a media advocacy group promoting press freedom, in conjunction with World Press Freedom Day.

On April 1, a gas pipeline leak in the Putra Heights housing estate triggered a massive explosion that destroyed homes, damaged property, and left more than 1,000 people homeless.

News of the incident spread quickly, fuelled by speculation and unverified claims. Initial reports suggested fatalities, but when police issued a statement saying there were none, many in the public were sceptical, with some accusing the authorities of a cover-up.

Confederation of Asean Journalists vice-president Norila Daud called on the public to be more discerning when consuming and sharing information.

“People are overwhelmed by an overflow of information, and this raises the question of what sources to trust,” she said. “That is why the public must be wise. If you are unsure of the facts, don’t spread them.”

She was joined on the panel by Fathi and Laban Abraham Laisila, head of the newsroom at Narasi, a prominent non-mainstream media outlet in Indonesia.

Laban highlighted the financial and political pressures faced by media critical of the government, including harassment and the loss of funding.

“These challenges are real. Media cannot operate without money. We face cyberattacks, and our funders are intimidated for supporting us,” he said.

The session was moderated by Haslina AR Kamaludin, a senior journalist with Malaysian Gazette. It was one of two key discussions at the event, which also featured a presentation by the Centre for Independent Journalism.

Financial constraints continue to plague the media industry.

In Malaysia, Free Malaysia Today laid off over 10 journalists last year as part of a restructuring exercise. Malaysiakini also reorganised its newsroom in a bid to remain sustainable.

Malaysian Chinese International Limited – publisher of China Press, Sin Chew Daily, and Nanyang Siang Pau – announced plans last year to lay off 800 staff over five years as it integrates AI across all operational levels, including in its newsrooms, to cut costs.

Earlier in the day, another panel featured Indonesian podcaster and journalist Hussein Abri Dongoran (Bocor Alus Politik), writer and media producer Liyana Marzuki, and seasoned journalist and digital content creator Syahril A. Kadir.

They discussed content creation, the risks of covering sensitive topics, and the importance of mental health support for media practitioners dealing with trauma.

Hussein and Liyana agreed that such risks come with the job and often serve as motivation.

“The risk is greater when you’re in front of the camera,” said Hussein during the session, which was moderated by Twentytwo13’s journalist Muzliza Mustafa.

Syahril added that while physical threats are manageable, online harassment can have lasting psychological effects.

“Perhaps it’s time we introduce a policy to provide mental health support for journalists and podcasters,” he said.

Main image:  Sairien Nafis, Geramm