Media can help govt to spread success stories, says Hajiji

KOTA KINABALU: Media practitioners here can help promote the success stories of the government’s programmes to the grassroots to raise the people’s confidence towards the government.

Speaking at the Kinabalu Press Awards 2023 on Saturday (Oct 28) night, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said this is in line with the event’s theme of “progress through smart partnership”.

“The theme is symbolic of the smart partnership between the media fraternity and the Sabah government, especially in reporting on policies and developments brought by the government.

“The smart partnership of both parties is crucial and needs to be strengthened to ensure news on achievements through Sabah Maju Jaya halatuju could be delivered directly to the people,” said Hajiji.

At the same time, he also expressed hope that the new Sabah Journalists Association office will ease the organisation in holding activities and programmes for its members.

“The state government is ready and willing to consider assisting the association to build an SJA building in future,” he assured.

Earlier, SJA president Datuk Muguntan Vanar said the association is looking at putting up a Press clubhouse on a piece of land they owned here and has sought the Chief Minister’s help with this, who gave a favourable response.

Muguntan also noted the challenges at the present media scene here, including few signs from local media owners in hiring new young reporters.

“I don’t know if the younger generation is shunning the job because the ringgit offered is not attractive enough or the media companies are not making efforts to attract the younger generation into this challenging and exciting field,” he added.

Hajiji in noting this, said maybe it was time for media organisations to offer suitable salaries and incentives to attract the younger group.

He said it was important for news organisations to ensure the reporting industry in Sabah remains strong by including the younger generation as the future batch to take over the industry.