Media urged to invest in data journalism

Sakina sharing her expereince (Bernama)

Kuala Lumpur: The media has been urged to invest in data journalism which could impact government policies and improve people’s lives more than ever, Sakina Mohamed, a Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) journalist.

According to Sakina, a Khazanah Wolfson Press Fellowship recipient, data journalism will be able to help her highlight many issues, including childhood stunting, in Malaysia.

“Not many people realise we have issues like childhood stunting that are under-reported in Malaysia, but data says we do. This shows the need to educate the media, train journalists and invest in data journalism,” she said, quoted by Bernama.

“Through data journalism, we can make a positive impact on society and the government, especially since amendment of policies often happen because of news stories.”

Sakina was sharing her experience of her 10-week fellowship programme in the United Kingdom. Her talk was attended by Bernama chief executive officer, Nurini Kassim, Bernama editor-in-chief Datuk Mokhtar Hussain and Khazanah Nasional Berhad senior vice president, Firdaus Suffian.

Sakina was awarded the fellowship on April 9 and went through the programme at Cambridge University from April 15 to June 21 at Wolfson College, one of 31 constituent colleges under the university’s administration.

The Khazanah Wolfson Press Fellowship programme was an eye-opener that showed her how the media industry can change and approach issues in different ways through data journalism, she said.

Nurini hoped more Bernama journalists would be selected for fellowship programmes, as she believes the national news agency has the resources to contribute towards the future of journalism in the country.

According to Bernama, the other recipients were ‘Health and Living’ programme producer at BFM Radio, Tina Carmillia Adrian and Khazanah Nasional Berhad corporate communications vice president Serina Joon.

Khazanah has been sponsoring the fellowship programme since 2013.