Sabah is not known for producing many well-known media figures, but the few it has produced have made their mark. Noteworthy mentions include filmmaker Tony Francis Gitom, and their many high-placing contestants on local shows Malaysian Idol and Akademi Fantasia.
Some films and shows filmed in Sabah and in other places around it include the first season of reality show Survivor, The Amazing Race, Eco-Challenge Borneo, Bat*21, and Sacred Planet. Sabah's first homegrown film was Orang Kita, starring Abu Bakar Ellah.
Sabah's first established newspaper was the New Sabah Times. The newspaper was founded by Donald Stephens, who later became the First Chief Minister of Sabah.
Sabah's first hip hop recording artist is Atama, real name Andrew Ambrose Mudi, who has successfully fused hip hop and tribal music. Atama's debut album My Tribal Roots was released on 30th May 2005.