Zam: Papers and TV will continue to be main choice

SUNGAI PETANI: Newspapers and television will continue to be the main source of information for the people for a long time, said Information Minister Datuk Seri Zainuddin Maidin.

Commenting on the results of The Star-IIUM election survey published Sunday, he said the people did not depend entirely on blogs or the Internet for information.

“The statistics revealed by The Star has proven what I believe in,” he said during his campaign rounds at the Jalan Petri pasar tani Sunday.

The survey showed that the newspaper was still the principal choice for Malaysians as their source of news and information, despite the rising popularity of Internet usage.

Prof Datuk Dr Syed Arabi Idid of International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) said that the poll results were highly revealing of the Malaysian’s distrust of the Internet, and agreed that the newspaper and television were still the public’s main source of information.

Zainuddin, who is contesting the Sungai Petani parliamentary seat, said the newspaper and television had maintained their credibility and relevance.

“I believe the newspaper has a future and is the most prestigious and credible source of information,” he said.

People only sought information on matters like tourism on the Internet and from blogs, he said.

He said newspapers, like The Star and Utusan Malaysia also went online to provide the needed information to readers.

--THE STAR