Malaysia must build a strong, independent, and credible media landscape to tackle the twin challenges of climate change and the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI), said Malaysian Media Council (MMC) deputy chairperson Premesh Chandran.
Speaking at the Media Solidarity Festival 2026 today, he emphasised that journalism has never been more critical as communities around the world struggle to cope with climate disasters, technological upheaval, and AI's growing grip on everyday life.
“Without a robust, independent and strong media that can ask critical questions of government, business and private interests, we will not get the society that we want,” he said in his opening address of the festival at Parc Subang, held in conjunction with World Press Freedom Day.
Premesh stressed that the media must stay true to its duty of serving the rakyat by holding public policies accountable and making sure vulnerable and minority communities are not left behind as governments and industries scramble to respond to climate upheaval and technological disruption.
He pointed to recent extreme weather events, including heavy rainfall and flash floods in the Klang Valley, as well as rising temperatures, as stark reminders of the urgent need for accurate, public-interest reporting on climate issues.
On AI, he said the rapid rise of digital technologies is reshaping daily life at breakneck speed, making it more critical than ever for journalists to help the public navigate how these changes could impact jobs, education, and the very fabric of society.
“The question is, how do we as a society understand these changes and prepare ourselves for them?” he said.
Shaping democracy, society
The press, Premesh explained, does more than report the news. It educates communities, fuels informed debate, and shores up democratic institutions.
In other words, journalism does not just reflect society; it strengthens it.
“World Press Freedom Day celebrates the role of media in creating the democracies that we want, in ensuring the freedoms of the rakyat are upheld, and ensuring that governments are accountable.
“That is why we celebrate World Press Freedom Day every year, and we celebrate the role that the press brings towards a thriving, vibrant society,” he added.
On the MMC front, Premesh said the year-old body is already hard at work uniting media groups, journalists, editors and civil society to push for a more self-regulated and accountable press in Malaysia.
He also issued an open invitation to both the public and media practitioners to get involved in the council's initiatives and help strengthen press freedom and professional standards.
The one-day festival themed "Information for Peace and Planet" was a joint effort by the MMC, Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), and Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm), backed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
- Bernama
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