KUCHING: With the rapid advancement of technology, journalism is undergoing a transformation that requires journalists to adapt to new practices. What does this mean for journalists?
From the era of film cameras to electronic ones, from voice recorders to smartphones, and from traditional newspapers to electronic papers (e-papers), journalists have had to adjust to the changing technological landscape.
Rudi Affendi Khalik, a seasoned journalist, shared his experience of working in journalism across different generations.
“When I started as a print journalist, we used to circulate approximately 48,000 newspapers each day. However, from 2016 to 2018, I had to learn how to be an online journalist,” Rudi explained during a panel session at the AZAM (Angkatan Zaman Mansang) Sarawak Media Coffee Chat 2024: Spicing Up Sarawak Journalism: Bridging Perspectives, Strengthening Communities yesterday (Mar 4).
With declining newspaper circulation, e-papers have become more prevalent, leading print journalists to embrace online journalism as a new form of reporting.
Nancy Nais, a journalist from DayakDaily.com, discussed the pros and cons of print and online journalism, highlighting the cultural differences between the two.
“When I transitioned from being a print journalist to an online journalist at DayakDaily.com, I experienced a culture shock due to significant differences between the two mediums. Print media allows us time to investigate and analyze stories, with a submission deadline usually around 8:00 pm. However, as an online journalist, speed is crucial,” she said.
Nais added that they are encouraged to submit their stories within 30 to 60 minutes after the conclusion of an event, leaving less time for in-depth investigative work.
“We are always told to submit the story within 30 to 60 minutes after the event because online media prioritizes readership volume,” she explained.
However, even as online journalists prioritise speed, credibility remains essential.
“While speed is important, accuracy and credibility are equally crucial. That’s why we need to be bold in seeking clarification and asking questions,” she emphasized.
Despite the evolution of information dissemination methods, journalistic ethics and professionalism remain constant.
Sarah Hafizah, deputy chief reporter (online) at New Sarawak Tribune, emphasized the importance of adhering to editorial policies and ethical codes in online news, including videos distributed on social media.
“Our journalists must adhere to established editorial policies and ethical codes, even when producing videos for social media. The videos undergo thorough editing and verification to ensure they are true, credible, and accurate,” she stressed.
Sarah acknowledged the challenges faced by video and online journalists in understanding audience preferences on social media, as it can be unpredictable.
“It is difficult to gauge what audiences on social media want or like to see; it’s often a hit or miss. Both older and younger generations consume information and news through online platforms, so creating content that captures their attention is a challenge compared to writing news articles, which can follow the 5Ws1H (what, why, who, when, where, and how) rule,” she shared.
Whether it’s print, online, television, or social media journalism, maintaining journalistic professionalism is the foundation of every story, regardless of the medium.
The AZAM Sarawak Media Coffee Chat 2024 aimed to foster collaboration and partnership among media professionals and communication-related agencies.
As a non-governmental organization (NGO), AZAM actively promotes development communication and shares the same objectives as media agencies in disseminating news and messages to the Sarawak community.
Other panellists included Firdaus Arasy Idris, a broadcast journalist from Radio Televisyen Malaysia, and Noratikah Ashari, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Education, Language, and Communication at the University Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS).
The discussion was moderated by Alice Wee, a member of the AZAM board of directors, and Ali Suhaili, Deputy Chairman of the Development Communication Committee at AZAM.
