Sarawak Media Conference 2026 to strengthen media role in the digital era

BT
8 minutes ago
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KUCHING, 13 July 2026: The Sarawak State Government, through Unit Komunikasi Awam Sarawak (UKAS) will be organising the Sarawak Media Conference (SMeC) 2026 this July 16, 2026 at Pullman Kuching, bringing together over 800 people including media practitioners, communications professionals, academics, policymakers, industry leaders and communications students for a day of discussions, experienced speakers and media empowerment.

This was announced earlier today during a press conference by the Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Corporate Affairs & UKAS), Datuk Abdullah Saidol, which was also attended by UKAS Director, Awang Putrayusrie Awang Redzuan and President of the Kuching Division Journalists Association (KDJA), Ronnie Teo.

Themed ‘Media, Trust and Governance in a Rapidly Evolving Digital World’, SMeC 2026 aims to be a platform for strategic discussions on the future of the media industry in facing the increasingly dynamic changes in the digital landscape, primarily focusing on efforts to strengthen public trust in the media, improve good governance practices, empower ethical journalism and explore opportunities and challenges brought by digital technology, including AI.

SMeC 2026 features a lineup of experienced figures in the fields of media, communications and academia, including the SOL Digital Founder, Lunnie Gan, Malaysian Media Council Vice President and Malaysiakini Co-Founder, Premesh Chandran, Sarawak Media Group Chairman, Dato' Hajjah Norhyati binti Haji Ismail; Professor of Asian Studies at University of Tasmania, Prof. James Ung Ho Chin and Kupikupi FM Sabah and Sarawak Founder, Rita Sim Sai Hoon.

Also part of the programme is the Welcoming Dinner, held in conjunction with the state-level National Journalists’ Day (HAWANA) and SMeC 2026, which will be held in the evening with Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Amar Haji Fadillah bin Haji Yusof and his wife set to attend. The evening will also witness the presentation of the Sarawak Premier’s Special Appreciation Awards, as a token of appreciation by the state government for the commitment and contribution of media professionals in delivering accurate and responsible information to the community.

Awards will be presented in 5 categories, namely the Editor/Reporter/Stringer, Photographer, Videographer, Radio/News Presenter and Influencer. The state government hopes that this conference will be a high-impact platform in strengthening cooperation between the government, media organisations, higher learning institutions and industry players, in addition to contributing to the development of a sustainable, ethical and trusted media landscape.

Members of the media are invited to cover the entire duration of the Sarawak Media Conference (SMeC) 2026.