Landscape, identity and challenges of journalism education in Malaysia

• Main Authors: Ismail, Awan, Ismail, Rizalawati
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Language: English; English
• Published: World Journalism Education Council 2016
• Subjects: H Social Sciences (General); PN Literature (General)
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/57558/3/57558-abstract-edited.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/57558/4/57558-proceedings.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/57558/; http://test.imran.oucreate.com/full-papers.htm
• Institution: Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia

Journalism is a very popular subject has been taught in Malaysia for more than 40 years. Advances in technology and changes in the media landscape today are influencing the way that future Malaysian journalists will work. As a profession, journalism generally operates under constraints coming derived from political, economic, social, cultural and technological developments. There should be a good balance between practice and contextual knowledge in studying journalism. Many journalism scholars (see Comrie, 2003; Deuze, 2006; Reese & Cohen, 2000) agree that journalism education should prepare students by providing knowledge (education) and skills (training) to reflect best practices. This study has three objectives: (1) to describe the journalism education landscape in Malaysia; (2) to investigate the Malaysian national identity as portrayed in journalism practices; and (3) to identify values that integrate the knowledge and skills needed by Malaysian journalism students. Weaver and Wilhoit (1996 in Deuze, 2006) claimed that studying the work of media professionals can help prepare students for career in news media organizations. Using the qualitative in-depth interviews as a method of inquiry, this study is based on interviews lasting 30-40 minutes with prominent media educators, journalists and editors working in Malaysian mainstream media and news agencies. Findings from this study portray the landscape, identity and challenges of journalism education in Malaysia.