I
n this era of information explosion across borderless digital platforms, the role of official and accredited media has become increasingly vital, not only as a trusted source of verified news, but also as a frontline defence against the spread of false, inaccurate and misleading news.
The overwhelming flood of content circulating on social media, in particular, poses one of the greatest challenges to mainstream media. According to the Ministry of Communications, Malaysia recorded approximately 28 million social media users as of September last year.
The rise of unaccredited “citizen journalists” on social platforms, who often disseminate information without verifying facts or sources, further underscores the importance of mainstream media upholding the highest standards of integrity in delivering accurate and reliable information to the public.
In this regard, mainstream media must remain steadfast in its commitment to ethical and responsible reporting, as reflected in the theme of the 2026 Malaysian National Journalists’ Day (HAWANA 2026), ‘Media Integrity Strengthens Credibility’.
INTEGRITY BUILDS TRUST
Elaborating on the theme, Universiti Putra Malaysia Department of Communication senior lecturer Dr Sharifah Sofiah Syed Zainudin said public trust in any media organisation can only be sustained through reporting that is consistent, transparent and delivered with a strong sense of responsibility.
In today’s fast-moving information environment, the public has become increasingly critical in assessing the authenticity of news before accepting it as truth, she said, adding that media organisations that remain firmly committed to integrity are viewed as more trustworthy because they prioritise factual accuracy and balanced reporting.
“Conversely, public confidence in the media can quickly erode if reports are found to be inaccurate, biased or overly sensationalised. This can undermine the credibility of media organisations and diminish their role as a primary source of reference,” she told Bernama.
She added that Malaysia’s current information landscape offers the public a wide array of choices, whether through local or international media, or the rapid dissemination of information on social media platforms.
This evolving environment has intensified competition in news delivery, compelling media organisations to uphold even higher standards of integrity.
At the same time, media practitioners must recognise that every report published has the potential to significantly influence society. The media is not merely a channel for delivering news but also shapes public perception, influences thinking and affects social behaviour.
For that reason, the responsibility to report accurately, ethically and with integrity is paramount, as any lapse in reporting can damage reputations, undermine social harmony and even threaten national stability.
“To me, journalism is not simply about conveying information. It is a huge responsibility to ensure that every report is accurate, balanced and free from vested interests.
“In Malaysia’s uniquely diverse society, comprising various races, religions and cultures, even a small reporting error or inaccurate information can trigger misunderstandings, disrupt harmony and create tension within the country,” she said.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil had said that the HAWANA 2026 theme aligns with the government’s efforts to continue strengthening the quality of information delivery while reinforcing the people's trust in media institutions.
He added that the agenda also seeks to empower media practitioners in driving national development.
VERIFY BEFORE PUBLISHING
Sharifah Sofiah said even as journalists face immense pressure to report news quickly, particularly during breaking events or when covering viral content, they must continue to uphold the principle of “verifying information before publishing” to ensure every report is accurate, authentic and does not create confusion among the public.
“Journalists must verify information through multiple sources and avoid relying on a single source. This cross-checking process is crucial to ensure the facts obtained are accurate and free from manipulation or hidden agendas.
“They must also avoid sensational headlines or clickbait tactics designed solely to attract readers, as these can mislead the public and damage the credibility of the media itself,” she said.
Pointing out that social media should never be treated as a primary source of news, she said although platforms such as Facebook, TikTok and X enable information to spread almost instantly, much of the content circulated bypasses proper fact-checking procedures.
She also urged media practitioners to strengthen their digital literacy and deepen their understanding of cyber ethics, including issues surrounding privacy, copyright, content manipulation and the spread of fake news, to ensure their reporting remains accurate, ethical and credible.
“Technologies such as artificial intelligence and digital applications should be used responsibly to support journalism, not replace ethical principles and human judgment.
“Today, one of the greatest challenges is that information moves so quickly that society often struggles to distinguish between fact and speculation. That is why professional journalists must differentiate themselves from ordinary information sharers by maintaining ethical discipline, fact verification and social responsibility in every report published,” she added.
Sharifah Sofiah also acknowledged that the pressure to be the “first to report” can compromise the accuracy and integrity of news coverage, particularly when media organisations rush to break news without sufficient verification.
Still, she stressed that being first is no longer the ultimate measure of success for a media organisation. More important is ensuring that every report is accurate, authentic and capable of maintaining public trust.
“If we look at several recent issues in Malaysia, there have been cases where viral news was reported prematurely before the actual facts were established. As a result, media organisations were forced to retract reports or issue corrections. So, if the media prioritises speed over factual verification, it risks spreading inaccurate information and ultimately damaging its own credibility,” she said.
SOCIAL MEDIA RESHAPES MEDIA LANDSCAPE
Commenting on the rise of unaccredited “news disseminators” on social media who operate outside the ethical standards of journalism, Sharifah Sofiah said they have created a culture where “going viral matters more than being truthful”, making it increasingly difficult for the public to distinguish between facts, opinions and propaganda.
“In facing these integrity challenges, (accredited) journalists are required to work even harder to ensure every piece of information is thoroughly verified before publication.
“That is why mainstream media must continue to serve as a credible and trusted source of reference for all levels of society. While anyone can share information on social media, not everyone possesses the skills to verify facts or understand reporting ethics,” she added.
A similar view was expressed by Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia’s Communication Programme senior lecturer Dr Fauziah Hassan, who said that many people are now driven by the desire to be the first to share information with the public, whether through social media posts or live broadcasts or via message-sharing applications such as WhatsApp and Instagram.
“I see this as a major challenge for professional journalists, who must compete with the speed at which information is disseminated by others.
“Journalists, at the same time, are also facing competition from content creators, influencers, celebrities and social media algorithms, all of which indirectly pressure them to maintain a balance between journalistic ethics and the accuracy of the reports they are delivering,” she said.
FREEDOM OF SPEECH
Fauziah also noted that many so-called citizen journalists invoke freedom of speech to justify their actions online.
“But the principle is often misunderstood as an unrestricted licence to say anything without ethical boundaries,” she said.
She explained that while freedom of expression is important in a democratic system, its misuse only accelerates the spread of slander, speculation and false information on social media.
“Some people believe that any opinion or information shared under the banner of ‘freedom of speech’ should never be questioned. In reality, freedom of speech still has limits, particularly when it involves fake news, defamation, hatred or content that threatens public safety.
“This is what makes journalists’ work increasingly difficult because in many situations journalists require time to verify facts while the public has already been exposed to multiple versions of the story circulating on social media,” she said.
Fauziah added that although everyone now has the space to voice opinions online, professional media remains essential in ensuring that information delivered to society is accurate, balanced and trustworthy.
In this context, professional media must continue to serve as fact-checkers, obtain perspectives from multiple parties and ensure issues are reported fairly and responsibly.
Professional media, she said, does more than merely disseminate information – it also helps the public understand the true context of issues so they are less susceptible to misleading narratives.
“Although the concept of gatekeeping has evolved significantly in the digital era, society still needs media organisations that uphold ethics, editorial standards and accountability in their reporting.
“For example, when an issue or tragedy goes viral on social media, users may share countless versions of the story without verification. Yet in the end, the public still turns to professional or mainstream media for official information that is more credible and trustworthy. This shows that in an increasingly open world, integrity and credibility remain the defining values that distinguish professional media from the vast volume of content circulating on social media,” she said.
HAWANA, celebrated annually on May 29, is the largest gathering of Malaysian journalists and aims to recognise the contributions of media practitioners in shaping public discourse and serving as a bridge between the people and the government.
Now in its sixth year, this year’s HAWANA celebrations will culminate in the main event at the PICCA Convention Centre @ Butterworth Arena in Penang on June 20.
-- BERNAMA
