Kota Kinabalu: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor called on media practitioners to carry out their duties with integrity, guided by the principles of professional and responsible journalism.
He said the success and dissemination of government policy implementation also depend on the vital role of the media in conveying information clearly and effectively to the public.
In the context of state development, he said the Government remains committed to implementing various initiatives that benefit the people and accelerate Sabah’s progress through the Sabah Maju Jaya Development Plan.
“As a sector with close collaboration and ties with the Government, the media also plays a role in delivering information on state government development policies, particularly under the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Development Plan.
“Therefore, I hope this strategic cooperation will continue to be strengthened and that the good relationship between us will be further enhanced to help the Government disseminate key information to the people regarding the State’s development agenda and direction.
“Media reports also assist the Government in understanding what is happening at the grassroots level, including the concerns of the people. Certainly, the Government welcomes such reports and coverage from media practitioners, as a bridge connecting the Government and the people,” he said.
His speech was delivered by Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, Datuk Joniston Bangkuai.
Hajiji expressed hope that the media will continue to play an important role as a trusted source of information, a provider of accurate news and a platform for faster and more precise updates to society.
He said the Kinabalu Press Awards, organised by the Sabah Journalists Association (SJA) in collaboration with the State Government and other sponsors, aims to recognise and appreciate the commitment and capabilities of media practitioners in the State.
“This event also serves as an excellent platform to inspire media practitioners to remain motivated, focused and responsible in carrying out their duties transparently and ethically,” he added.
In this regard, he said the Government has never overlooked the media’s important role in society and continues to support programmes such as the KPA through financial sponsorship contributions.
“The State Government greatly values and understands this need, and in fact, sponsorship support has increased every year.
“I also extend my congratulations to all the winners. Keep up the excellent work and let this success be a catalyst to continue contributing to the development of the State and the wellbeing of the people through credible and ethical news reporting,” he said.
