Calling it the largest-ever allocation for the industry, Anwar said the funds would be used for training, capacity-building and exposure for journalists, particularly younger ones, to ensure the profession is not left behind.
“I have agreed to allocate a larger sum to support media organisations in the country as an initial step,” he said at the National Journalists Day (Hawana) celebration at World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur today.
“It is to ensure the world of journalism is not left behind in keeping up with changes brought by the emergence of AI, while also ensuring a balance between AI and journalistic ethics.”
At a press conference later, communications minister Fahmi Fadzil said the mechanism for media companies to apply for funding will be announced soon.
He said the new allocation is a continuation of Project Sigma, a collaboration between his ministry and Google, that had helped over 30 media organisations in finding new revenue sources.
“We called it Project Sigma, in conjunction with Gen Z who likes to use the word ‘sigma’. It intends to help media organisations better understand the new generation’s way of viewing and consuming media,” he said.
Following the encouraging results from the project, he said the ministry applied for a further RM30 million fund to re-create similar efforts.
“This is to help them achieve financial sustainability,” he said.
Stay clear of ‘manufacturing dissent’
Anwar also urged the media to resist becoming propaganda tools for those with vested interests.
He said media freedom is a fundamental pillar of democracy and crucial for protecting the freedom to give criticism and provide feedback.
However, he said, the government will not tolerate the “distortion of perceptions” to insult and attack others.
“(American philosopher) Noam Chomsky called this ‘manufacturing consent’ because people are forced to accept the narrative.
“However, we must remember that we also have to reject ‘manufacturing dissent’.
“There must be a balance between taking advantage of our freedom of information and ensuring it is not exploited to oppress any racial groups,” he said.