Kuala Lumpur: Press freedom is one of the main pillars of democratic practice that must continue to be upheld and strengthened in the country, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Therefore, he said, the media must continue to play the role of conveying the truth and not merely become a tool for certain vested interests to force the public to accept something without space for differing opinions.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anwar emphasized the challenges associated with media freedom, referencing Noam Chomsky’s concept of ‘manufacturing consent’, which involves using instruments of power to craft a narrative that forces people to accept it. He made these remarks while officiating the National Journalists’ Day (HAWANA) 2025 celebration at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL).
Anwar also urged media practitioners to uphold professionalism and ethical standards in news delivery and to educate the public to become more information-literate, thereby preventing them from falling prey to slander or manipulation by irresponsible parties. He warned of the dangers of ‘manufacturing dissent’, which involves creating narratives that incite hatred or slander for specific interests.
The Prime Minister highlighted the need for balance in media freedom to prevent oppression from ruling powers, racial extremists, or groups seeking power through ‘manufactured dissent’, which could lead to a ‘tyranny of the minority’. He also noted that the current communication landscape’s challenges lie increasingly in social media, which operates with more freedom and speed than traditional mainstream media.
Anwar stressed the importance of delivering trustworthy and well-founded information, cautioning against using media as a tool of oppression by ruling elites or fanatical groups. He remarked on the fading culture of deep reading and thoughtful assessment, emphasizing the need to uphold these practices.
The HAWANA 2025 event, themed “Journalism in the New Era: Embracing AI, Safeguarding Ethics,” takes place over three days, with the participation of approximately 1,000 local and foreign media practitioners. Key figures in attendance include Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa, and other notable officials from the media industry.
May 29 has been designated as National Journalists’ Day to honor the first publication of Utusan Melayu on May 29, 1939, and to recognize the contributions of industry players in shaping an informed society.