Latest news with #AstroAwani
The Star
6 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
Malaysian Embassy in Iran to temporarily cease operations
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Embassy in Iran has been instructed to temporarily cease operations, says Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. He added that all Malaysian Embassy staff have also been instructed to return home immediately. Mohamad, as reported by Berita Harian, confirmed that many other countries' embassies have done the same following increased tensions in the conflict involving Iran and Israel. "I have instructed all embassy staff, including the ambassador, and all Malaysians have been asked to leave Iran. "However, some are still reluctant to leave, including three students in Qom and one in Isfahan, as they are far from Tehran," he said on Saturday (June 21). Yesterday, Mohamad said the Foreign Ministry had instructed all Malaysians in Iran to leave the country. He stated that Wisma Putra had arranged land transportation for all Malaysians to head to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. "Since no flights are allowed through Iran at the moment, we have prepared vehicles for them to travel by road to the nearest place. "The journey of 950km is estimated to take 13 hours as it involves crossing mountain ranges," he said in a video shared with Astro Awani.
The Star
5 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Former MIC president G Palanivel passes away
KUALA LUMPUR: Former MIC President Datuk Seri G Palanivel passed away at Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL) on Tuesday. The news was confirmed by MIC sources to Astro Awani. Palanivel, 76, was appointed as the eighth President of MIC on 6 December 2010, succeeding Tun S Samy Vellu, who held the position for 31 years. He was appointed as a Minister in the Prime Minister's Department under Datuk Seri Najib Razak's administration in 2011. Palanivel joined Najib's Cabinet in June 2010 as the Deputy Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities. Born on 1 March 1949, Palanivel received higher education at the University of Malaya, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1972. He then served as a lecturer in Economics and History at Kadir Adabi College in Kuantan before becoming the Executive Director of the Consumers Association of Penang. He also worked as a research officer at the National Museum for the Bujang Valley Project before joining Bernama in April 1977, where he was appointed News Editor of the Economic Desk in 1984. Palanivel's political career began in 1987 when he was appointed Press Secretary to Samy Vellu. In the 1990 General Election, Palanivel contested and won the Hulu Selangor parliamentary seat, which he held until he was defeated in the 2008 General Election.
Free Malaysia Today
14-06-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Empower AI to gain competitive edge, media industry told
FMT's head of Bahasa Malaysia and video unit, Zahrul Alam Yahya Shahir, said the media should not fear AI as it has long survived alongside it. (Bernama pic) KUALA LUMPUR : The media industry has been urged to empower artificial intelligence (AI) by actively shaping its development and use to gain a competitive advantage. FMT Sdn Bhd's head of Bahasa Malaysia and video unit, Zahrul Alam Yahya Shahir, said the media plays a crucial role in providing the data that AI systems learn from. Speaking at the National Journalists' Day (Hawana) 2025 Media Forum today, he noted that AI performs best when trained on structured content, as the technology prefers content that clearly outlines the issue and explains the problem. 'The content that AI gives us comes from us. That's why I say it's time for us to empower AI with our content… the analytic content that we put into social media and what not. 'Don't fear AI; we (the media) have long survived alongside it,' he said at the forum titled 'AI & Media: Tool, Threat or Opportunity?' He said that media practitioners should be the ones empowering AI, not the other way around. Another panellist, Astro Awani senior editor Nazri Kahar, emphasised that technologies such as AI should not be seen as a threat but an opportunity that the media industry must embrace. He said journalism is at a critical crossroads, demanding that media practitioners quickly adapt to technological advancements. 'This is a crucial moment for us to seize the opportunity. We should not view technologies as enemies that will erase the media industry. Instead, we must set boundaries, adapt and move forward,' he said. Nazri recounted a personal experience, going live for the Sibu by-election in 2010 using only an iPhone instead of expensive conventional broadcast equipment such as satellite systems. 'It was a new approach at that time. We used Skype (a telecommunication application to make voice and video calls and send instant messages), and the results were impressive,' he said, adding that the experience revealed the potential of technology to many people in journalism. Elaborating, he said that media organisations should not be bound by traditional approaches, focusing on concerns over audio and visual quality; instead, they should prioritise news value and timeliness in delivering information.
New Straits Times
14-06-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Founding board of Malaysian Media Council finalised, says Fahmi
KUALA LUMPUR: The founding board of the Malaysian Media Council has been finalised following its official gazettement yesterday. Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil announced the development during the closing ceremony of the National Journalists' Day celebration in Kuala Lumpur today. Fahmi said the board will comprise four representatives from each of the following categories: media companies, media associations, media practitioners, and independent media practitioners, along with a category for non-independent members. Among those appointed to the board are National Union of Journalists Malaysia secretary-general Teh Athira Yusof and Astro Awani chief editor Ashwad Ismail.
The Sun
14-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Human qualities remain core of journalism in AI era
KUALA LUMPUR: Human qualities must remain the central focus in the adaptation and use of artificial intelligence (AI) in newsrooms to ensure that the integrity and core values of journalism are preserved. Astro Awani editor-in-chief Ashwad Ismail said that while AI brings greater convenience and efficiency to newsroom operations, it cannot replace the role of journalists as storytellers and custodians of truth. 'Technological advancements are important, but the foundation must remain rooted in human qualities. The core philosophy is how AI can enhance our qualities as journalists and improve the journalism we produce,' he said. 'This technology will come and go, but what truly strengthens us is our core philosophy - our people and the quality of our journalism,' he said when appearing as a guest on the Bernama TV's Ruang Bicara programme titled 'Kewartawanan Era Baharu: Keseimbangan AI dan Etika' (Journalism in the New Era: Embracing AI, Safeguarding Ethics), held in conjunction with the National Journalists Day (HAWANA) 2025 celebration last night. Also featured on the programme were The Jakarta Post editor-in-chief Taufiq Rahman and media expert Sayed Munawar Sayed Mohd Mustar. Ashwad emphasised that the integration of AI in journalism must be guided by clear ethical principles to ensure it remains aligned with the profession's core mission, truth and social responsibility. 'When we acknowledge that there must always be a man behind the machine, it becomes clear that strong principles and proper guidance are essential in how we approach, use, and even embrace AI,' he said. Meanwhile, Taufiq noted that while AI can serve as a valuable tool for tasks like data compilation and document processing, editorial decisions must ultimately remain in human hands to preserve the integrity of news judgment. 'Media is an industry of truth. What we report, what we write, is all about the truth. I still doubt whether AI today is capable of fully understanding the nuance or subtlety in journalistic content,' Taufiq said. He added that in Indonesia, the Dewan Pers (Press Council) issued guidelines on the use of AI in journalism in January, which among other things, emphasise the importance of labelling AI-generated content to ensure transparency. 'If a news item, photo, or video is produced by AI, it must be clearly labelled. We cannot mislead the public by presenting it as the work of journalists,' he said. While acknowledging that some media organisations still operate with basic equipment, he stressed that this should not be seen as a disadvantage, but rather as a testament to their commitment to uphold ethical principles that have been the foundation of journalism for centuries. Meanwhile, Sayed Munawar noted that journalistic ethics remain as relevant as ever, even in the rapidly evolving era of AI, as ethics themselves are not new, only the context of their application has shifted with technological progress. 'Ethics is still a relevant issue. What has changed is the context, such as the balance between privacy and intrusion. Now we face the question of AI, but the core ethical principles remain unchanged. With AI, processes may become faster, more accurate, and better guided. 'If it is a tool, AI remains just that, a tool. Like an axe, it won't function without someone wielding it. But what AI lacks is wisdom. The real question is how far we want to use this tool, and for what purpose. Even a blunt axe can be used as a hammer, that's creativity,' Sayed Munawar added. The three-day HAWANA 2025 celebration, which runs until tomorrow, is organised by the Ministry of Communications, with the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) serving as the implementing agency. The HAWANA 2025 celebration's main event will be officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL) today. The date May 29 was gazetted as National Journalists' Day to commemorate the publication of the first edition of 'Utusan Melayu' newspaper on May 29, 1939, honouring the contributions and services of media professionals as vital agents in shaping an informed society.
