PENDIKA PREPARED TO WORK WITH RELEVANT QUARTERS TO IMPROVE WELFARE OF MEDIA PRACTITIONERS

MELAKA, Nov 17 (Bernama) -- The Melaka Media Practitioners Club (Pendika) is prepared to collaborate with the government, industry players and media organisations to develop more comprehensive proposals to strengthen the welfare of media practitioners, including addressing low salaries.

Its president, Amir Mamat, said the problem affects not only full-time media professionals but also part-time journalists or stringers, many of whom earn less than RM2,000 a month despite having served for more than a decade.

"Pendika takes seriously the issue of income insecurity among stringers who are often on the front lines of field assignments yet do not receive compensation that reflects the risks and responsibilities of their work.

bootstrap slideshow

"We believe this matter requires immediate attention through a fairer salary improvement mechanism that corresponds with their experience and substantial contributions to society and the nation," he said in a statement today.

Amir said aspects such as social protection, career advancement opportunities and professional training must also be restructured to ensure media practitioners can continue to progress in an increasingly challenging industry.

"The reality that there are still media practitioners living below the poverty line proves that there is a huge gap between the burden of work they carry and the remuneration they receive, while they continue to serve for the sake of survival and responsibility to society.

"Pendika believes that the role of media practitioners is very critical in ensuring that the people receive accurate, fast and authentic information. Therefore, their welfare should not be taken lightly," he said.

He also welcomed the concern shown by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who expressed his dissatisfaction over the plight of media practitioners who continue to receive low salaries despite serving in the industry for more than 10 years.

"The statement demonstrates that the welfare of media practitioners is getting the attention of the highest leadership in the country, offering renewed hope to those who have long struggled with inadequate income.

"Pendika remains committed to championing the voices and rights of media practitioners, especially in Melaka, and hopes that the Prime Minister’s attention will serve as a starting point for more comprehensive and positive reforms within Malaysia’s media ecosystem," he said.

Yesterday, the Prime Minister was reported to have said that he understood the grievances of media practitioners who still receive low wages, particularly in Sabah, despite many having served for over a decade.

He has therefore directed Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil to prepare a comprehensive report on journalists’ salaries—especially in Sabah—and to propose the best solutions, including the possibility of channelling incentives to media companies to help increase journalists’ salaries or allowances.

-- BERNAMA