Embracing AI: The New Imperative For Modern Journalism

By Suraidah Roslan

KUALA LUMPUR, June 6 (Bernama) -- In a world increasingly driven by artificial intelligence (AI), journalists must quickly adapt and embrace the technology, not only to remain relevant but to redefine efficiency and excellence in their work.

In conjunction with National Journalists’ Day (HAWANA) 2025, Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) journalist Marfika Adnan Haris Fadzilah, 34, shared her experience participating in the 2024 China International Media Exchange Programme, organised by the China International Press Communication Centre in Beijing.

Marfika, a journalist with Bernama’s Lifestyle Desk, said that during her four-month stint in China, she saw how deeply AI was woven into daily life and how it proved useful to her as well.

“AI became a part of my daily routine in China, not just as a work tool, but as a personal assistant that just made life easier,” she said.

Among the AI applications she found indispensable were Baidu Translate and WeChat Translate, which let her instantly convert Chinese documents into Malay or English using just her phone.

She acknowledged that she relied heavily on ChatGPT throughout her four-month assignment, using it to craft interview questions, write photo captions and translate Chinese texts into Malay or English.

Reflecting on the challenges she faced in China, Marfika said the language barrier was the most difficult, as most locals had limited proficiency in English.

“It often felt like a ‘chicken and duck’ conversation, a complete communication gap.  So, I had to get creative with body language and, of course, rely on AI-powered translation apps. But that challenge taught me to be more flexible, open and better at non-verbal communication," she shared.

Meanwhile, Astro Awani journalist Hasimi Muhamad, 36, recalled a career milestone while covering the 2019 Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, soon after joining the station.

“I had only been with Astro Awani for six months. So, I prepared thoroughly, knowing it wasn’t just official coverage but reporting on the Country Statement,” he told Bernama.

Hasimi said he never views international assignments as leisure trips but as valuable opportunities to gain knowledge and experience, enhance report quality, collaborate with foreign journalists and master the latest technology.

The journalist from Pasir Puteh, Kelantan, recalled his most challenging and memorable overseas assignment: covering Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s official visits to Beijing in March 2023 and Shanghai in November last year.

“The assignments tested my skills as I was without a cameraman. I was among the first to be deployed as a solo journalist, starting with the Beijing coverage in March 2023.

“Working alone required ‘double skills,’ such as capturing visual soundbites and leveraging the latest technology. This is part of the company’s effort to enhance the skills of broadcast journalists,” he explained. 

Marfika Adnan and Hasimi described HAWANA as more than a celebration, emphasising that it is a platform for knowledge sharing, professional networking and renewing the spirit to face media industry challenges.

Themed “Journalism in a New Era: Balancing AI and Ethics,” the HAWANA 2025 grand celebration will be held on June 14 at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur, officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, with an estimated attendance of 1,000 local and foreign media practitioners. 

Under this year’s HAWANA allocation, Bernama has held five AI workshops in Kuala Lumpur, Cyberjaya, Sarawak, Sabah, and Terengganu (for the East Coast zone) to equip media practitioners with a stronger grasp of AI technology.

-- BERNAMA