SINTOK – With the theme “Composing Our Future: Harmonizing Well-being, Ethics, and Responsibility in Communication,” the School of Multimedia Technology and Communication (SMMTC) at Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) organised the 9th International Conference on Communication and Media (i-COME’24).
During his keynote speech, the Minister of Communications, Mr. Fahmi Fadzil highlighted that in the field of innovation and development, it is essential to not only consider how technology shapes communication but also the responsibilities that come with it.
He explained that the future of communication, driven by unprecedented technological advancements, demands us to be ethical, ensure the well-being of the people, and uphold responsibility in the digital space.
“The digital world offers immense potential for societal development but also poses other risks, including detrimental effects on mental health stemming from misinformation, cyberbullying, and pressures associated with social media pressure.
“Ethical communication is not just a guideline, it is a necessity, so we must always be guided by ethics. The explosion of information on digital platforms presents both opportunities and challenges. One of the key challenges is misinformation, which can undermine trust, divide communities, and endanger lives,” he said.
He further stated that Malaysia is committed to promoting a responsible and transparent media landscape, with policies that uphold truth, accuracy, and integrity in information.
“The Prime Minister, Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, announced initiatives to further enhance the role of Malaysia as a leader in technology. The government is ready to introduce the ‘National Cloud Policy,’ which focuses on public service innovation, economic competitiveness, strengthening data security, and promoting digital inclusion.
“Malaysia is preparing to become an artificial intelligence (AI) hub. To ensure ethical and sustainable AI development, the government will establish a national AI office to coordinate initiatives and develop regulatory frameworks that will shape the future,” he said.
Meanwhile, UUM Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dato’ Dr Mohd Foad Sakdan, remarked that i-COME’24 aims to shape the future of communication by prioritising well-being, ethics, and social responsibility as core principles guiding communication practices.
“In the 21st century, we have witnessed how communication and media rapidly evolved through institutions moving towards globalisation and digital technology. UUM also integrates technology into its teaching and learning.
“These rapid transformations raise important questions about how our communication and media principles can still offer comprehensive explanations and strategies in such a dynamic environment.
“It is our collective responsibility to ensure that communication remains a force for positive change, empowering individuals and communities,” he said at the SMMTC Seminar Hall.
Director of i-COME’24, Ms. Nuredayu Omar, stated that the event featured 70 seminar papers presented in a hybrid format, attracting 80 participants, which included international attendees from Indonesia, China, India, the UAE, and Syria.
She mentioned that the seminar serves as a platform for sharing knowledge on critical issues and advancements in communication and media research, as well as fostering new partnerships and building connections with communication and media experts.
“i-COME’24 addresses critical challenges in fostering responsible communication practices across all communication-related fields, particularly in the context of digital technology, with a special focus on artificial intelligence (AI),” she added.
This conference discusses the impact of technology in communication, including its influence on content creation, source credibility, and biases. Additionally, it explores the broader effects on culture, social contexts, and organisations, both locally and globally
