KUALA LUMPUR: To generate more interest on Asean-related issues, journalists must go beyond to get stories that captivate readers, say top industry officials.
South China Morning Post executive managing director Zuraidah Ibrahim said the key was for the journalists concerned to be more interested in issues in their own backyard.
In order to draw more public interest to Asean issues, she said news agencies should also think outside the box, adding that it was the media’s job to go beyond.
“Be curious, dig deep, keep your eyes and ears on the ground to reflect the diversity out there. Asean has the reputation of moving at a ‘glacial speed’. Consensus is a word that induces paralysis.
“The sooner we break away from this mindset that it must be one narrative, it will be better off,” said Zuraidah.
She said it was important to look in the mirror and ask if media outlets had prioritised their own backyard.
“Many of us journalists are probably more familiar as a tourist in London, UK, than being in Manila, the Philippines,” Zuraidah said during a panel session on “The Role of Media and Opinion Leaders in Narrating Asean” held here yesterday.
It was part of the two-day Asean Economic Opinion Leaders Conference: Outlook for 2025 event, which will discuss key economic issues and the sustainable future of the regional grouping.
Bernama chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai, who moderated the session, concurred, saying readers were disinterested in “dry and technical” articles on Asean.
“They don’t want to read long articles. The landscape must change, we live in a world where people read up to eight lines, as most of the time is spent on short videos on TikTok and Instagram,” said Wong, who asked the panelists for feedback on what stories would generate more interest on Asean.
Veteran Thai journalist Kavi Chongkittavorn said newsrooms could focus on the cultural diversity of Asean nations on topics such as food, fashion, music and sports.
“Each country has its own uniqueness and I think these are some of the common themes that we can put together to tell a good story,” he added.
Kavi also said with Malaysia having assumed its Asean chairmanship this year, it was crucial for the 10-member regional grouping to stand up against confrontation by major powers.
“Asean has to maintain convincing powers, we have to make sure we don’t lose that. If we can do that, the Malaysian chair of Asean will have a legacy,” he added.
Star Media Group is an exclusive media partner of the conference which concludes today.
