Journalism code of ethics in need of a review - Media consultant

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Journalism Code of Ethics needs to be reviewed or improved in line with current trends, says media and communications consultant Dr G Manimaran.

He said this was because the code of ethics established four decades ago should better reflect the current situation from the social, political and global aspects.

"Now that there is citizen journalism, independent media and social media platforms, for me, it's time this matter (journalism ethics) is reviewed, and we are also going to celebrate National Journalists' Day (HAWANA).

"So this is quite realistic, because we have to start a new foundation," he said when contacted on the 'Malaysia Petang Ini' programme aired on Bernama TV today.

Manimaran, who has about 22 years of experience in journalism, said journalists now faced various challenges, especially in terms of the scope of their work.

"In the past, journalists only wrote (news) for newspapers or radio or magazines, but now a journalist has to write news material for various platforms, including for broadcast," he said.

Commenting on the theme of HAWANA 2022, namely 'People's Voice, National Aspiration', he said it stated the real role of the media in raising the people's voice on issues that required attention by the authorities.

HAWANA 2022, which will take place in Melaka this Sunday, is being organised to recognise the role of Malaysian journalists and media practitioners, besides serving as a platform for media practitioners to share opinions and enhance the development and growth of the media industry in Malaysia.

The Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) and Malaysian-Indonesian Journalists' Association (ISWAMI) will be the main movers of the event with the support of the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia (K-KOMM).

-- BERNAMA