The media should contribute in building a stable society by engaging in corporate social responsibility (CSR) and not merely focusing on channelling news and entertainment, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said.

"CSR is not only about helping the disabled, the poor... No. The most important is to ensure that the country is stable, and to bring the society together to achieve the 1Malaysia vision," she said.

NONE She was speaking at the signing of a memorandum of understanding on the Astro welfare package between her ministry and Measat Broadcast Networks Systems Sdn Bhd today.

Shahrizat also said that the media played an important role in safeguarding the country's stability, building the minds of the younger generation and helping them to chart their future.

"(The media) is not always about the news. Without a sense of responsibility, how are we going to take the society into the future?" she said.

On the Astro welfare package, Shahrizat said it was among Astro's CSR activities, focusing on the less fortunate and the needy.

The package will allow residents of 67 welfare homes nationwide to watch Astro channels for free starting Aug 15.

Present was Astro chief executive officer Rohana Rozhan.

- Bernama