HAWANA 2026: Border Journalists Risk Their Safety To Expose Realities On The Frontline

By Muhammad Afiq Mohd Asri

KOTA BHARU, May 31 (Bernama) -- Coverage in border areas is not merely a routine journalistic assignment, but one that demands considerable courage and diligence to ensure the public receives accurate, verified and balanced reports.

Kosmo! Kelantan bureau chief Muhammad Ayman Ghaffa said the main challenge in border reporting is obtaining truly accurate information and reliable sources before an issue is reported.

He said that to produce exclusive and credible reports, media practitioners must personally venture into remote areas, including illegal jetties around Tumpat and Rantau Panjang in Pasir Mas, despite the risk of encountering cross-border smuggling syndicates.

"These risks are always present when covering stories in border areas. In addition, we sometimes face a less-than-welcoming reception from local residents when reporting on cross-border crimes in their communities," he told Bernama recently.

He said every report must be verified by the relevant agencies, including the Royal Malaysia Police, as well as the Thai police and military, in addition to information obtained from local communities, to ensure reports are accurate and do not give rise to speculation.

"For example, incidents involving bomb explosions in southern Thailand or fatal shootings involving dual nationals require official confirmation before they can be reported to the public," he said.

Elaborating, Muhammad Ayman said the media plays an important role as a bridge of information for Malaysians to understand the realities of the security situation along the border and in the often-volatile southern Thailand region.

He stressed that in this era of rapid information dissemination, media practitioners must continue to uphold journalistic ethics by ensuring the use of non-sensational language so that reports remain balanced and do not cause unnecessary public concern.

Meanwhile, Berita Harian Kelantan bureau chief Fazlina Abdul Rahim said border coverage becomes even more challenging when most cases involve security issues and sensitive investigations.

She said access to certain locations is sometimes restricted for security reasons, while members of the local community are often reluctant to share information out of fear of threats or risks to their own safety.

"Journalists must be careful to ensure that reports do not affect the authorities' operations or create misunderstandings within the community.

"At the same time, we must ensure reports remain balanced, ethical and fact-based despite time constraints and conflicting sources of information," she said.

Commenting on the media's role in raising public awareness of border security issues, Fazlina said cross-border crime is not a new issue but has existed for a long time despite various efforts and approaches undertaken by the authorities.

However, she said the media plays a vital role in conveying information and exposing the public to the realities occurring in border areas.

"For example, reports on the closure and demolition of illegal jetties, as well as arrests made by the authorities, help the public understand the actual situation while also creating a deterrent effect against committing offences," she said.

In conjunction with this year's National Journalists' Day (HAWANA), themed "Media Integrity Strengthens Credibility”, she expressed hope that cooperation between media practitioners and security agencies would continue to be strengthened through more open, prompt and effective communication.

"A good relationship between the media and security agencies is important to ensure that information conveyed to the public is more accurate, authentic and not misleading.

"At the same time, I hope media practitioners will continue to be given the space to perform their duties professionally and ethically, while security agencies can assist by providing access to information and clear explanations to the media," she said.

The highlight of HAWANA 2026, which is scheduled to be officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, will be held at PICCA Convention Centre @ Butterworth Arena in Penang on June 20.

-- BERNAMA