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Focus Malaysia
16-07-2025
- Business
- Focus Malaysia
Is AI in the newsroom a tool, threat, or a transformation?
ARTIFICIAL Intelligence (AI) is altering the task of journalism in the ways the news is collected, processed, and delivered. Through automated summaries or tools that can identify deepfakes, AI provides newsrooms a means to increase productivity and velocity. But with such powers come profound questions: Can we trust AI-generated content? What becomes of journalists' jobs? And how do we ensure that ethics remain at the forefront? As newsrooms, including those in Southeast Asia, press on with AI, it is worth considering both the opportunities and challenges. AI is not aiming to replace journalists—it seeks to make their work easier. The technology is capable of handling tedious tasks like summarising articles, scanning through vast datasets, and writing initial reports. However, the artistry of storytelling, emotional understanding, and values-based thinking are uniquely human traits that AI cannot replicate. A recent instance involving the fabrication of book titles in an AI-generated summer reading list illustrates its shortcomings. Blunders like these demonstrate why human supervision is imperative. Ultimately, AI should be regarded as an alleviating aid, not a substitute. Fast forward five years from now, the ideal newsroom is one in which AI is fully integrated, but journalists remain in control. AI can manage tedious work such as sifting through data, customising content for different demographics, and drafting preliminary versions of stories. This liberates reporters to focus on investigating, storytelling, and tough ethical decisions. The partnership between AI and human beings is crucial—AI offers up the data, and journalists supply the understanding. Transparency, accountability, and regular training will ensure that newsrooms remain rooted in journalistic values. AI excels at handling tasks that require processing large volumes of information. It can generate financial reports, sports news, or weather predictions in moments. It also assists with verifying facts by swiftly comparing various sources. However, when it comes to comprehending cultural context, interpreting subtle cues, or making moral choices, AI continues to struggle. It lacks human intuition and often amplifies biases present in its training data. This is where human judgement becomes essential. Across Southeast Asia, news organisations are beginning to adopt AI, although the pace of implementation varies. In Malaysia, Media Prima has announced plans to integrate AI across its operations by the end of 2024. Bernama is offering AI training for its staff and has previously experimented with AI-generated content, such as an Azan (call to prayer) video during Ramadan. These preliminary steps show both growing interest and a clear recognition of the caution required in AI integration. While AI can enhance productivity, excessive dependence on it may pose serious risks. It could lead to a decline in critical thinking, weaken ethical oversight, and undermine the human factor that lends journalism its trustworthiness. That infamous summer reading list with imaginary books is only one example of what can go awry. If news organisations are not careful, over-reliance on AI might erode public confidence. The right balance—using AI as a tool, not a crutch—is crucial. To maintain journalism's credibility, a multi-faceted strategy is essential. News organisations should use AI technologies to detect manipulated content while also equipping journalists with digital literacy and critical thinking skills. Transparency is vital—AI-generated content should be clearly marked, and its role in the reporting process explicitly explained. Above all, media outlets must establish and follow rigorous ethical standards regarding the use of AI. These actions will help preserve public trust. AI will undoubtedly transform journalism, but that doesn't necessarily mean job losses. Instead, it's likely to create new roles focused on managing AI systems, curating content, and ensuring ethical compliance. For example, Reuters uses an AI tool called Lynx Insight to help journalists identify emerging stories, freeing reporters to concentrate on more creative and investigative tasks. What's needed now is for journalists to upskill—to learn how to work with AI, not against it. Journalists must acquire knowledge in data analysis, AI principles, and digital ethics to stay relevant. Understanding how AI functions and learning to interpret data responsibly will be crucial. In evaluating AI-generated content and guarding against misinformation, reporters will need strong digital literacy. Even in the AI era, ethics and transparency must remain central values. With the right training, modern journalists can continue to be vital and relevant. AI is rapidly integrating into the daily routines of journalism. While it offers immense benefits in speed and information processing, it can never replace the thoughtfulness, compassion, or ethical judgement that human journalists bring. As newsrooms—particularly in Southeast Asia—embrace these technologies, caution, accountability, and a commitment to truth must guide their journey. The journalists who adapt and learn to collaborate with AI will not just survive the changes— they will shape the future of trustworthy, meaningful journalism. ‒ July 16, 2025 Prof Ts Dr Manjit Singh Sidhu is a Professor at the College of Computing and Informatics, Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN). The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia. Main image: Unsplash/Vanilla Bear Films
India Gazette
29-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"He will obviously speak...." Maharashtra Minister Nitesh Rane hits back at Sanjay Raut amid language row
Pune (Maharashtra) [India], June 29 (ANI): Maharashtra Minister Nitesh Rane on Sunday came down heavily on the Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut over his party's call to protest against 'Hindi imposition' in the state, saying that he won't even 'get Diwali bonus' if he doesn't 'speak in favour' of Uddhav Thackeray. 'Sanjay Raut is a salaried person. He takes a monthly salary from Saamana. He will obviously speak in favour of (Uddhav) Thackeray. He won't even get a Diwali bonus if he doesn't do that,' Rane told reporters here. Intensifying his attack, he said that these people only wanted to divide Hindus on the issue of language while asserting that there was no Hindi imposition in Maharashtra. Rane further lashed out at Javed Akhtar and Rahul Gandhi for not speaking in Marathi. 'Why isn't Hindi imposition any concern for Javed Akhtar, Aamir Khan and Rahul Gandhi? Just try to get them to speak in Marathi. Tell them to try taking out their protest from Mohammed Ali Road or Behrampada; they all speak Hindi. If they truly love Marathi, then have tomorrow's Azan recited in Marathi. Then, we will believe that they have respect for the Marathi language. We are constantly saying there is no Hindi imposition in Maharashtra; now, should we roam around with it written on our chests? These people only want to divide Hindus on the issue of language,' Rane said. Amid the ongoing debate over the Maharashtra government's alleged move to make Hindi compulsory across all classes, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Sunday stated that Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray would protest against the 'forceful imposition' of the language in the state's education system. Raut stated that the government resolution would be publicly burned. 'Uddhav and Raj Thackeray will protest against the forceful imposition of Hindi in the state education. We will burn the government resolution released today along with the public... Main program is in Mumbai... Uddhav Thackeray will be present in this program...' Raut said while addressing the media. Earlier, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde criticised the Shiv Sena (UBT) and accused the party of practising 'double-faced' politics. Shinde said that people who practise double-faced politics have no right to demand the resignation of Minister Dada Bhuse. 'The then Chief Minister of Maharashtra had made mandatory the teaching of three languages - Marathi, English, and Hindi, which was recommended by the Raghunath Mashelkar Committee... When they were in power, their opinion was different, and now that they are not in power, they are responding differently... The people who practise double-faced politics have no right to demand the resignation of Minister Dada government made Marathi mandatory in schools,' Shinde told ANI. Shinde's remarks came in response to criticism from Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray, who demanded the resignation of School Education Minister Dada Bhuse over the 'imposition' of Hindi in state schools. (ANI)
The Hindu
26-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Mahim Juma Masjid Trust launch Online Azan app amid loudspeaker row
Amid the ongoing chaos surrounding Mosque loudspeaker restrictions, Mahim Juma Masjid has come up with an alternative and introduced a dedicated mobile app that streams the Azan live, allowing devotees to hear it in real-time without violating any regulations. According to the Mahim Juma Masjid Trust, due to the restrictions on the use of loudspeakers for the call to prayer (Azan) in several urban areas of Mumbai, Juma Masjid launched a dedicated mobile app, which was developed with technical support from a team of professionals led by a team in Tamil Nadu. The name of the app is Online Azan app, and so far, over 100 users have downloaded it. The app gets the Masjid registered, and people associated with the particular masjid can be selected and listened to. Before the Azan time, users receive notifications alerting them to the start of the prayer. 'The initiative comes after a police crackdown on the use of loudspeakers, where officers visited the mosque and warned that loudspeaker use could result in action. This led to the mosque temporarily disabling its sound system. Besides, the Court order of the 45-56 decibel restriction on the speakers does not serve the purpose. So, this is an alternate,' the Managing trustee of Mahim Juma Masjid, Fahad Khalil Pathan told The Hindu. This comes after the delegation of Muslim leaders complained of campaigns against loudspeakers by BJP leader Kirit Somaiya in several areas of Mumbai, as well as police action on removing the loudspeaker. Despite compliance with the court's order of permissible noise levels under 56 decibels, Muslim representatives alleged that police have been harassing mosque committees. On Wednesday (June 25, 2025), a delegation of Muslim leaders and top police officials met Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar on the issue of loudspeakers at mosques in Mumbai. The app plays a live audio stream of the Azan through mobile phones exactly when it is delivered from the mosque, says a Trust member.
National Post
15-06-2025
- Politics
- National Post
Mohammed Rizwan: What I, a Muslim, did not know about Israel
Walking down a beautiful corniche walkway along Mediterranean in Jaffa district not far from downtown Tel Aviv, criss-crossing my way amidst evening joggers and jovial teenagers, I suddenly froze, as I heard sound of Azan — an Islamic call to prayer — blaring from a nearby mosque. None from my group of visiting Canadian journalists took much notice, as few of them have already been to Israel, but for me, it was a shocker. I live in Canada, where religious freedoms are guaranteed and enshrined, but I never heard Azan blaring from loudspeakers here, or in Europe or the United States, even though there are mosques, churches, synagogues, temples that remain busy throughout the year there. Article content Article content It heard it in Israel. A supposedly Muslim-enemy state, a Jewish national home, an 'apartheid' state that has been at war with its Muslim Arab neighbours for the last 75 years. Article content Article content Article content So, which Israel is real? The one that allows Azan to play from loudspeakers for its two-million Muslim population, the one that employs a Muslim IDF soldier, who I met at the Lebanese border, or one that houses a large and affluent Muslim population in Haifa. Article content The problem lies in perception and perspective, I would say. Article content People around the world see Israel through their television screens and in context of a 75-year-old conflict, territorial disputes, and the Palestinian question. For most of the world, this is the only lens they hold to look at Israel. Depending on where you live in the world, and what world outlook you grew up with, one essentially looks at Israel through a geo-political binary. Article content Article content I think this is not the only way to look at the history and national character of a country. But to look at Israel differently has a prerequisite: leave your preconceived notions out of the bubble you currently live in, get to know the country first-hand, wear the hat of tolerance and love for all faiths, and then try and see the Israel story. Article content Article content There is a good chance that you would still see enough to criticize foreign policy choices Israel has made over the years, or, if you know enough context, one should be able to see why those choices were made, when they were made, over the last few decades. Article content Take for example two-state solution theory. How many people care to remember that there were three occasions in history when Israel agreed to and accepted a two-state solution (1948, 1991, 2000) but Palestinians refused. And finally, when they got the autonomy for Gaza and West Bank (which, in a way, was two-state, what else?), they used that autonomy and aid to perpetuate terrorism.
Hindustan Times
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Op Sindoor: Panic in border areas, villagers start evacuating to safer places
People in some border villages of Ferozepur and Tarn Taran districts began moving to safer areas amid soaring tensions between India and Pakistan. A family during evacuation from a border village in Ferozepur on Wednesday. (HT Photo) According to reports, the residents of villages, particularly around the Hussainiwala sector, located just 13 km from Ferozepur, have begun evacuating voluntarily following the Indian Armed forces successfully carrying out targeted strikes on nine 'terrorist infrastructure' in response to the April 22 Pahalgam attack. Similar reports were received from the Khemkaran area, which saw intense action during the 1965 war. Most of the border villagers have shifted their children and women members to safer places. The war-like situation is not new for the people of Khemkaran area. They have seen similar evacuations during the 1965 and 1971 wars with the most recent being the 1999 Kargil war. Kasur-Khemkaran axes saw one of the biggest tank battles post-Second World War, with Pakistan suffering significant losses. The engagement at Asal Uttar is widely recognised as a turning point in the 1965 war. In the markets of Khemkaran, a historic small town, it was business as usual with people seen shopping and going about their day-to-day routine. In the Kalas village, youths and other men were huddled discussing the possible scenarios. Several gates of the houses in the village, a few yards from the zero line, were locked with the families moving to safer areas. 'Many have sent children and women to the safer places. However, almost all the men are staying behind,' Balwinder Singh said, adding: 'We stand with the Indian Army which has avenged the Pahalgam attack. Killing civilians in cold blood is a cowardly act. So, what has been done by the army is good. Another resident Sukhchain Singh said, 'We cannot abandon our houses and livestock'. Lakhbir Singh added that nearly 35% people of this village have moved in panic. 'We apprehend that something untoward might happen. Our village is closest to the border and could easily be captured by Pakistani forces in case of a full-scale war,' Lakhbir said. In Mehadipur village, surrounded by an international border from three sides, a group of men were busy playing cards and discussing the possible war scenarios. The village is connected to mainland India via a bridge. 'Residents of this village have already faced evacuation three to four times in the past. These things are not new to us. This time, the people are not evacuating in haste', said Satnam Singh, a villager. In Ferozepur, evacuations have been reported in several border villages, including Tendiwala, Kaluwala, Hajara Singh Wala, and Ghatti Rajjo Kee, among others. 'There has been complete silence across the border since yesterday. We haven't even heard the usual 'Azan', and no Pakistani farmers have shown up in their fields today,' said Surjit Singh, a resident of Chugge Hajara Singh Wala. 'We've seen difficult times before, but we trust our jawans. We hope peace returns soon,' said Baldev Singh, a farmer from Ghatti Rajjo Kee. Ferozepur deputy commissioner Deepshikha Sharma said that the evacuations are voluntary. 'No official directive has been issued. People might be taking precautionary steps on their own. We are ensuring all measures for civilian safety,' she stated. She said that the entire administration is fully alert and prepared.
