Call For Comprehensive Approach By Media Industry Players, Authorities To Takcle Misuse Of AI

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 18 (Bernama) -- A comprehensive approach involving the government, media industry players, and the authorities should be taken to address the risks of misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, especially in regard to the spread of fake news.

Astro Awani editor-in-chief Ashwad Ismail said engagements and discussions among the industry players from both public and private sectors need to be organised to find the best solutions in formulating strategies and suitable action plans to tackle this issue.

“It’s more of a whole-of-society approach. Before making decisions, there needs to be proper engagement, especially from the government and other sectors, including civil society, the media, and the authorities, to sit down together and find the best way to strategize and address the current situation.

“We understand the risks, and we also know that AI is here to stay, meaning that it requires a comprehensive approach and proper consultation from all parties, which in our Malaysian context would include, for example, the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) and Astro Awani as the private sector player.” 

He said this after his sharing session on ‘AI in the Newsroom’ with Bernama journalists and editors at Wisma Bernama, here today.

Meanwhile, Ashwad said that misinformation and disinformation are universal risks faced by all countries across the globe, not only in Malaysia.

“So, what’s best is that all parties need to come forward together to find the best way to cushion the impact of AI and ride the opportunity of AI at the same time,” he said.

Meanwhile, Bernama chief executive officer Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin said the AI-focused sharing session held today aimed to provide deeper exposure and understanding of the technology among the media practitioners in Bernama.

“We are organising this sharing session on AI because we recognise the importance of adopting the latest technologies used in newsrooms. That's why we invited speakers from media organisations that have widely adopted AI in their operations, including Awani.

“I hope this sharing session will help our editors perform their duties more effectively and guide our journalists in embracing and utilising AI in their daily tasks,” she said.

A total of 32 Bernama journalists and editors participated in the two-hour sharing session that discussed the use of AI in improving news production, the ethical issues that may arise, and guidelines for integrating AI into newsroom workflows.

Also present were Bernama deputy editor-in-chief (News Service) Nasriah Darus, International News Service executive editor Ravichandran DJ Paul and News Service executive editor Mohd Haikal Mohd Isa.

-- BERNAMA