CYBERJAYA, March 4: Malaysia’s media industry must urgently prioritise advanced training in emerging technologies to remain competitive and credible amid rapid digital transformation, the Malaysian Press Institute (MPI) said on Wednesday.
MPI Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ainol Amriz Ismail stressed that as the industry undergoes sweeping structural changes driven by technology and shifting audience expectations, continuous professional development is no longer optional but essential.
Dr Ainol welcomed the launch of the Communications Ministry’s Media Innovation Fund, describing it as a strategic mechanism to accelerate industry transformation by supporting training in modern newsroom methodologies and digital tools.
He said the fund could finance programmes in areas such as artificial intelligence for news research, data journalism, audience analytics, digital verification, and multimedia storytelling, while also covering training costs or enabling media employees to participate in professional development initiatives.
Dr Ainol said that journalists equipped with technological and analytical skills are better positioned to deliver faster, more accurate, and impactful reporting, particularly in an era marked by misinformation and algorithm-driven content flows.
He emphasized that access to professional development must extend across the newsroom, from junior reporters to senior editors, and even ancillary departments such as photography, graphics, and digitalization, to ensure that training is well-coordinated to ensure inclusive transition.
“An inclusive approach will foster a culture of continuous learning and bridge generational skill gaps within news organizations,” he said.
MPI, with its six decades of in-depth and extensive experience in journalism training, is well placed to serve as the preferred training provider under the Media Innovation Fund, he said.
He said MPI could also play a broader role as a national training hub, collaborating with technology experts, academic institutions, and international media practitioners to align training with global best practices.
Dr Ainol said that investment in advanced technology training would strengthen journalistic professionalism, nurture industry talent, and build a more resilient media ecosystem in Malaysia.
MALAYSIAN PRESS INSTITUTE
