[Updated] Requiem for sterling journalists who passed on in 2023 – Ian McIntyre

AS we approach the end of 2023, which is less than a week away, it is customary to reflect on the past twelve months.

For journalists, this year has seen some significant losses, with the sudden deaths of five peers at an early age. All departed way before the average Malaysian adult lifespan of 76.

The six media personalities had conducted their duties in a domestic commercial market that no longer looks as promising as it was a decade ago.

They soldiered on although one opted out earlier than predisposed.

For the first time in recent memory, many media giants are reporting figures in the red. While there are no intermediate plans to radically downsize the workforce, the industry needs to undertake much reflection.

In the meantime, let us take time, as we mark the festive year-end, to memorialise the careers of six journalists, who for better or worse were outstanding in their crafts.

Audrey Edwards, tenacious amid any adversity

One greatly adored member of the journalism fraternity was the outspoken Audrey Edwards who was noted for her grit and dedication to the industry.

Seremban-born Edwards passed away at 48. She was diagnosed with chronic diabetes at a relatively young age but that did not deter her from living life as best as she could.

The Malay Mail Online’s Life editor had carved her name earlier at The Star for her tireless work on healthcare reporting, particularly on the often overlooked AIDS/HIV issue.

In 2018, Edwards was bestowed with the Special Red Ribbon Media Award for her longstanding contribution to reporting about the virus at the Red Ribbon Media Awards.

Zubaidah Abu Bakar, soothsayer of the political world

Zubaidah Abu Bakar, 64, was always in her element as a political analyst, often foretelling the outcome of political contests. She was part of the New Straits Times publications, which held sway over the political developments, and contributed immensely during her stint in Kedah.

Opting for a voluntary separation scheme, Zubaidah left her vocation early, probably driven by the less than rosy outlook that journalism offers due to falling readership and the phenomenal rise of social media at the expense of accountable form of reporting.

Such a trend is evident globally, but in Malaysia it is profound due to the inter-connectivity that journalism has with the state of politics and the economy.

Zainal Epi, veteran with distinctive speciality

Earlier this month, veteran Zainal Epi, an associate editor at the Malay Mail news portal, breathed his last on a ventilator at the National Heart Institute.

Zainal passed on just four days short of his 70th birthday on December 5.

He is known to have encouraged and heartened many in the profession over an eventful career.

His trademark reaction was "relax lah" as he greeted his world-weary peers.

He worked for most mainstream English media agencies due to one distinctive speciality.

He focussed on Malay-centric politics, doing it in a unique style of seeking and reporting on feedback from not only leaders but also the grassroots.

Zainal had a knack of getting people to talk while he memorised the details, seldom having a need to jot down copious notes because he knew the subject matter well.

He despised press conferences, believing that they were scripted. He felt that it was better to tell the audience what a politician really thought rather than what he preached.

Zulkifle Che Abdullah, devoted Kelantan journo

Not much is heard about this veteran stringer outside of his home state of Kelantan, but Zulkifle Che Abdullah was a true-blue jack of all trades.

He sold used cars, dabbled in traditional medicine, operated a restaurant, and still regularly found time to report on what was going on in his beloved Kelantan.

Based in Pengkalan Chepa, he seldom ventured out of his state because he was simply busy tending to his own affairs, including as an amateur licensed ham radio operator.

Zulkifle, 60, was the first Malaysian journalist to sense something was wrong with Malaysia Airlines’ flight MH370 in March 2014.

He had intercepted a chatter on ham radio that a "plane was missing in China" just hours before the world came to know about the mysterious disappearance of MH370.

He relayed this tip and helped a now defunct news portal called The Ant Daily to become among the first to report that a Malaysia Airlines plane had disappeared without a trace.

S. Karunakaran, man of various hues

Last week, the fraternity lost another member, S. Karunakaran, who was better known by his pen name, Athi Shankar. The 59-year-old died of what is believed to be a heart attack.

A volubly opiniated man, Shankar’s character made him a veritable oxymoron.

He often ribbed his peers, especially over their political coverage.

At the same time, when some of them were put in a delicate position, such as in being at the receiving end of defamation suits, he would volunteer to help.

The Penang-born journalist wrote many critiques about leaders, of which some came true.

He used to remark that many elected politicians allow themselves to be ridiculed by the very same people who adored them years before.

Shankar, like many journalists before him, departed without much fanfare.

Like him or hate him, he was among the first to respond to the plight of his fellow peers, and sometimes in life that is the best one can offer.

Raj Kumar Soman, veritable 'Jedi' of the newsroom

Last August, a former military man, Raj Kumar Soman, passed away after a short illness.

He was 62 when he was about to be discharged from hospital. However, he suffered a setback and hours later, Raj, a fan of the epic Star Wars film saga, passed on.

As the long-time head of The Sun's photography desk, he used to call journalists "Jedi" and boasted in an amused tone that he was the last Jedi.

Let us hope that there will be more "Jedis" emerging in the years ahead, as the world of journalism deals with variegated challenges.

Unverified social media, fake news, artificial Intelligence, lack of interest in reading among the public, and a shrinking market. These are but some of the daunting variables that traditional press thoroughbreds face.

Season’s greetings and a happy 2024. – The Vibes, December 27, 2023.

Ian Mcintyre is the northern region bureau chief at The Vibes