KLANG: Young and old media practitioners have been advised not to chase after popularity when reporting issues related to the people.
Sixty-five-year-old Datuk Karam Singh Walia, a former broadcast journalist famous for using 'pantun' and proverbs when delivering his investigative reports, said journalists must be the main fighters for the people's problems and not talk about trivial matters.
"Most importantly, do your job with a deep desire, ability and commitment. There's no need to think of 'glamour' because when we do our job with honest desire, the people, viewers and those who read the news out there will know," he said.
He gave this advice when Deputy Minister of Communications Teo Nie Ching visited him to present him with Tabung Kasih@HAWANA donations at his residence in Taman Sri Andalas here today.
Also present was Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) Editor-in-Chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj.
In addition, Karam also expressed his gratitude for the contribution, saying he was touched by the presence of his media friends from various agencies at his home today.
In addition to the cash contribution, Karam also received goods from Syarikat Pusat Pakaian Hari-Hari and AEON Big.
Karam served as a journalist in Media Prima for 20 years from 1995 before deciding to call it a day in 2014 due to health problems.
He has been suffering from liver and kidney disease for the past two years.
Meanwhile, Teo said the determination and quality of professionalism displayed by Karam throughout his time as a journalist could be a good example for media practitioners.
She said it was a privilege to have visited the journalism icon, the winner of two awards at Anugerah Seri Angkasa 2024.
Teo said Karam is the 103rd recipient of the initiative introduced during last year's National Journalists' Day (HAWANA), with her ministry targeting to visit about 90 current and former media practitioners by the end of this year.
She urged any current or former media practitioner who is unwell and needs assistance to contact Bernama, as the HAWANA secretariat, to obtain donations via Tabung Kasih@HAWANA.
Tabung Kasih@HAWANA was established in conjunction with the HAWANA 2023 celebration to support journalists and media personnel, both active and retired, who are ill or in need of assistance.
This Communications Ministry initiative is implemented through Bernama.
– BERNAMA