Fostering media literacy crucial for responsible digital future, says Sagah

KUCHING (Oct 24): Media and Information Literacy (MIL) is crucial for fostering critical thinking, ethical judgment, and responsible digital behavior among citizens, especially among the younger generation, said Sarawak Education, Innovation, and Talent Development Minister Dato Sri Roland Sagah.

Speaking via a live stream during the Global Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Week & Dialogue 2024 today, Sagah in his address also opines that the importance of equipping society to confront the risks and opportunities posed by rapid technological advances.

He also highlighted how emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and social media have revolutionised the way information is produced, distributed, and consumed.

“While these advances offer extraordinary potential, they also introduce challenges, such as misinformation, disinformation, and deepfakes.

“We need a whole-society approach — bringing together educators, policymakers, media professionals, and digital platforms — to build a media-literate and digitally responsible society,” he said during the event at the Sarawak Library here.

Sagah thus commended Pustaka Negeri Sarawak for its proactive efforts in promoting digital literacy through initiatives like the People Accessible Network for Digital Empowerment and Inclusivity (PANDei) Programme.

For him, libraries are thus not just repositories of knowledge; they are hubs of learning and civic engagement, playing an indispensable role in embedding critical skills into the community.

He also discussed the role of AI, acknowledging its capacity to enhance education and information access but warning of its ethical challenges.

“AI can generate educational content efficiently, but it can also spread misleading information and deepfakes. We must ensure these tools are used ethically and transparently.

“I also urge media literacy to include the understanding of AI’s risks and limitations too,” he said.

Meanwhile he commented that digital content creators, whom he described as today’s gatekeepers of information, were identified as key players in shaping public opinion.

Because of that, he said that influencers and independent journalists must adhere to ethical standards and promote accurate information while he urged all sectors to collaborate in promoting media literacy because the success of Sarawak’s digital future depends on collective action.

“Whether policymakers, educators, or media professionals, everyone must play a role in building a media-literate and ethically grounded society.

“The content they produce shapes societal norms and beliefs, making media literacy essential to ensure their contributions benefit public discourse,” he said.

Following that he concluded his speech by expressing hope that the Global MIL Week & Dialogue 2024 would foster new partnerships to shape a better digital future for all.