In the era of fleeting attention spans and rising disinformation fueled by Artificial Intelligence (AI), one value continues to define journalism at its best: trust. For the eighth consecutive year, Malaysians have named Astro AWANI the most trusted news brand in the country. This recognition underscores the enduring importance of credible, independent journalism as news content coverage and public service.

Reflecting on the milestone, awarded by the Reuters Institute Digital News Report 2025 last month, Astro AWANI Editor-in-Chief Ashwad Ismail remarked that the trust of Malaysians is both an honour and a responsibility. “To be trusted by Malaysians for eight years in a row is deeply meaningful to us. It’s a reminder that journalism, at its core, is about public service and trust – the most valuable currency we have.

“This award strengthens our resolve to continue doing what we do best: journalism that puts people first and ‘human centrality’ at the heart of technological advancement,” said Ashwad. Astro AWANI earned a 66% trust rating among Malaysian respondents – the highest of any news organisation in the country, reaffirming its leading position of credible and independent journalism since first achieving the ranking in 2018. The annual Reuters Institute Digital News Report, conducted in partnership with the University of Oxford, surveys thousands of Malaysians as part of a global study spanning 47 countries.

It measures trust, consumption habits and attitudes towards news media. Astro AWANI’s continued leadership in public trust reflects not only the strength of its newsroom, but also Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad’s commitment to editorial integrity, public interest journalism, and connecting communities through reliable content.