Media is the fourth estate, says Sin Chew

China Press headlined that with August 31, National Day, and September 16, Malaysia Day, coming up.

In view of this, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim urged all sectors of society, including the private sector, to display the national flag at their homes and offices to showcase the spirit of independence.

Kwong Wah Daily reported that Penang’s birthrate has reach to its lowest nationwide from 2019 to 2022, Penang tate social development, welfare, and non-Islamic religious affairs committee chairman Lim Siew Khim attributing the decline to rising living costs, changing values, and shifting life priorities.

Guang Ming Daily headlined that Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil stated that the government will soon take stringent actions against cyberbullying, online scams, and online gambling advertisements on at least one or two platforms.

Sin Chew Daily front-paged that Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said indicated that the proposed amendments to the Penal Code (Act 574), aimed at combating cyberbullying, are expected to be presented to Parliament in October this year.

Nanyang Daily reported that economists believe that while the influx of Chinese manufacturers and large corporations into the Malaysian market through overseas warehouses has disrupted traditional business models, it also benefits consumers.

This is seen as market innovation, and the government should encourage local businesses to adapt to the new model rather than resist it. Local businesses are advised not to be overly pessimistic or resistant but to embrace the new situation.

Editorial

Sin Chew Daily said that the media is the fourth estate in a democratic system and plays a crucial role in society. 

Besides conveying information and news, the media also has a supervisory function, said the daily. 

When power is unchecked and lacks balance, it can easily lead to abuse and corruption, affecting national development and public welfare, added the daily.

Therefore, the media must have sufficient freedom to perform its supervisory role without facing threats, said the daily. 

Nanyang Daily said that advanced technology is a great invention of humanity, representing a significant leap in human civilization and one of humanity’s proudest achievements.

However, while advanced technology progresses, it also contributes to the destruction or degradation of the harmonious environment in which humans coexist, said the daily. 

When it comes to combating cyberbullying, laws can only address the symptoms, and without changing people’s attitudes, cyberbullying remains difficult to control, added the daily.