Malaysia - 'Citizen journalists not professionals'

KUALA LUMPUR - Freedom of speech and responsible journalism go hand in hand, said Malaysian Press Institute (MPI) chief executive officer Datuk Chamil Wariya.

However, with the rise of citizen journalists, there had been a blurring of lines between them and professional journalists, he said.

"When we (professional journalists) get information we counter-check with a number of sources.

"Citizen journalists will just publish it as and when they feel like it, without checking if the facts are correct.

"As (professional) journalists, we still hold true to the principle of verification," he said.

Chamil was speaking to reporters after the opening of the 4th International Journalism Fellowship (IJF) programme at a hotel here yesterday.

The event was opened by Information, Communication and Culture Ministry's director-general of Broadcasting Datuk Norhayati Ismail.

Asked about unverified postings on social network sites such as YouTube, Chamil said these could confuse the public.

He said journalism was not a self-indulgent activity but involved information written for the masses.

"In my view, if you are a journalist you must be attached to an established media organisation.

"That is the definition of a journalist.

"If bloggers want to write, make sure what they report is true," he added.

Norhayati, meanwhile, said Malaysia needed world-class, fact-based reporting in journalism.

"As long as reporters don't break laws, they can write about anything," she said.

Speaking to reporters, she said there was no such thing as ultimate freedom of speech.

Nineteen journalists, including eight from abroad, are taking part in the four-week programme that ends on Nov 25 at the MPI training centre in Jalan Bukit Ledang here.

The foreign journalists are from Brunei, Indonesia, Namibia and the Philippines.

Speakers and facilitators are professional journalists and media trainers from Australia, China and host country Malaysia.

The IJF, a collaboration between the MPI and the ministry that started in 2008, has trained more than 70 journalists from 18 countries.

The programme is funded by the Government and co-sponsored by Tourism Malaysia and several major banks and companies.

The Star/Asia News Network

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