Kuala lumpur: In journalism, words are more than a medium of communication, they shape public understanding, influence opinion and determine the credibility of the media itself.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, a poorly chosen term, inaccurate phrasing or confusing sentence structure can distort facts, create misunderstanding and, in some cases, trigger wider social and political repercussions. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Centre for Research in Language and Linguistics lecturer Prof Dr Fazal Mohamed Mohamed Sultan said journalists have a responsibility to deliver accurate information to the public, making strong command of language essential to ensure facts are conveyed clearly, systematically and without ambiguity.
'A single word used inaccurately can alter the entire meaning of a report. Terms such as 'suspected', 'charged', 'accused' and 'guilty' carry distinct legal implications. If journalists fail to understand these differences, it could lead to ethical and legal consequences, including defamation or prejudice against individuals,' he told Bernama recently in conjunction with National Journalists' Day (HAWANA).
He said mastery of language reflects not only the professionalism of journalists but also the credibility of the media organisations they represent, as audiences often judge the reliability of a news outlet through the quality of its reporting. 'Reports riddled with grammatical errors, inconsistent terminology or sensational language will erode readers' confidence in the media organisation. In today's digital landscape, where fake news and misinformation spread rapidly, professional journalists must distinguish themselves through precision in language, disciplined use of terminology and integrity in writing,' he said.
Fazal Mohamed said journalists also play a key role in shaping society's language culture, given the strong influence of mass media on everyday communication. 'Journalists have a social responsibility to uphold proper and quality language. If the media repeatedly uses incorrect language or inaccurate terminology, such mistakes may eventually become normalised in society,' he said.
He added that accurate use of terminology is especially crucial when reporting on specialised areas such as economics, healthcare, politics, international diplomacy, technology, religion and law, each of which requires clear understanding of specific concepts and terms. Using health reporting as an example, he said journalists must understand the distinctions between terms such as 'virus', 'bacteria', 'outbreak', 'pandemic' and 'endemic'. Likewise, in economic reporting, terms such as 'inflation', 'recession' and 'fiscal deficit' should not be used loosely, as misuse could mislead the public and create confusion.
'Mastery of language and terminology forms the foundation of journalism because journalists are not merely conveyors of information, but guardians of factual accuracy, shapers of public thought and custodians of language integrity. Professional journalists must ensure every report is reviewed in terms of grammar, context, terminology and cultural sensitivity before publication because news is not merely a record of events, but a social document that society will reference and remember,' he said.
Sharing a similar view, Universiti Malaya (UM) Malay Linguistics Programme coordinator Prof Dr Salinah Ja'afar said readers' understanding depends greatly on the language used in news reporting. She said strong language proficiency not only improves the quality of reporting but also enables journalists to communicate messages more clearly and effectively to audiences. 'Good command of language undoubtedly strengthens credibility in writing and enhances readers' trust in the news presented. Journalistic writing is not merely about arranging facts, but also involves consideration of values, cultural sensitivities, public emotions and ethics in delivering information,' she said.
Salinah added that sensitive subjects such as crime and court reporting require a high degree of ethical consideration, as journalists must fully understand the linguistic nuances, legal implications and societal sensitivities before publishing a report.
Introduced in 2018, HAWANA recognises the contributions of journalists to national development, with May 29 chosen to commemorate the first publication of Utusan Melayu in 1939. HAWANA 2026 carries the theme 'Media Integrity, Foundation of Credibility', with the main celebration to be held in Penang on June 20 and officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The annual event, regarded as the largest gathering of Malaysian media practitioners, is organised by the Ministry of Communications through the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) as the implementing agency.