IPOH: It was a chance of a lifetime for Berita Harian news editor (religious and features) Mohd Nazmi Yaacob when he was selected to deliver today's Friday sermon at a mosque here.
The 45-year-old was among three media practitioners given consent by the Perak ruler to deliver the sermon ahead of National Journalist Day (Hawana) 2023.
Nazmi said the opportunity given by Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah for media practitioners to deliver today's sermon will have a huge impact in strengthening the role of journalists within society.
He said he was thrilled at being given a chance to deliver a sermon because it was a good platform for him to talk about role and challenges faced by journalists.
"I was a bit nervous, but I agreed to it because the community needs to understand the true position of journalism, the role of journalists and the impact of our work.
"The sermon revolves around the role of journalists and the responsibility of journalism. I think it is very important because we are in an era of what is called VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity) and the role of journalists is also challenged by artificial intelligence.
"Journalists do not simply find and deliver information. We need to filter, weigh in all things and produce news that can help people make the right decisions in their lives," said Nazmi after delivering the Friday sermon at Masjid Sultan Idris Shah II, which is the Perak state mosque.
Nazmi, who has been with BH for 19 years, also expressed his gratitude to the Sultan Nazrin, Perak Islamic Religious Council and Malay Customs president Tan Sri Mohd Annuar Zaini, New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd group managing editor Datuk Ahmad Zaini Kamaruzzaman, and the imam and mosque committee involved in the opportunity.
Perak Sinar Harian bureau chief Saifullah Ahmad, 38, who was given the honour of delivering the Friday sermon at another mosque, said today's programme was a form of appreciation for the work of journalists.
"It is very important that all media practitioners practice truthfulness and honesty in delivering news and providing information to the community. Journalists must perform their responsibilities based on Islamic teachings so that their work will be accepted as 'ibadah' and rewarded by Allah," said the father of two from Bagan Datuk.
Radio Television Malaysia programme producer Mohd Fahmi Mohd Nor, 30, was also selected to give a Friday sermon.
Today's Friday sermon text, which was prepared by Perak Islamic Religious Department, was themed "Accomplishing Tasks Based on Islamic Values.
"The sermon highlighted dangerous situations faced by journalists in their line of duty, especially when covering stories in conflict zones, wars and natural disasters.
"Some among them suffered injuries and some even lost their lives. It was reported that last year, more than 67 media practitioners around the world died in the line of duty, the highest record compared with previous years," the text said.