PUTRAJAYA, June 16 – In an era where news breaks within seconds and misinformation spreads even faster, journalists must remain committed to accuracy, responsibility and public trust, said Dr Christina Chin, Deputy Executive Editor of The Star.
Speaking during the plenary session titled “The Editor’s Dilemma: Balancing Speed, Accuracy and Harm Prevention” at the Balancing Virality and Responsibility: Journalism Amid Speed, Trust and Impact forum, Dr Chin shared how editors today face increasing pressure to publish quickly while ensuring information is accurate, verified and does not cause unnecessary harm.
She noted that the modern newsroom is confronted with multiple challenges, including the race for speed, the rise of artificial intelligence, social media scams, the overwhelming volume of information, limited newsroom resources and growing legal liabilities.
“Editors today are constantly balancing competing priorities. The pressure to be first is real, but the responsibility to be right remains far more important,” she said.
Drawing from The Star Media Group’s award-winning fact-checking initiative, True or Not, Dr Chin explained that effective journalism begins with three simple but critical principles, take time to verify, be transparent with audiences and ensure facts are thoroughly checked before publication.
According to her, the solution to managing viral content and unverified information is not to chase every trend, but to uphold the values that define credible journalism.
“Trust is built when audiences know that news organisations are committed to accuracy, quality content and responsible reporting. These values matter more than ever in today’s digital environment,” she added.
Dr Chin highlighted that True or Not received the Gold Award for Best Fact-Checking Project at the WAN-IFRA Digital Media Awards Asia 2025, a recognition of The Star’s commitment to combating misinformation and strengthening public confidence in journalism.
She stressed that a media organisation’s greatest strength lies not only in its brand, but also in its people and values.
“The future of journalism will not be determined by who publishes first, but by who earns and retains the trust of the public,” she said.
The two-day forum, organised by the Malaysian Press Institute (MPI) in collaboration with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and supported by the Department of Information Malaysia, brought together editors, journalists, academics and industry experts to discuss the evolving challenges facing journalism in a fast-moving digital landscape.
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