The Covid-19 pandemic, new norms and the challenge of health news journalists in Malaysia; Pandemik Covid-19, norma baharu dan cabaran wartawan berita kesihatan di Malaysia

• Main Authors: Amdan, Rohana, Abdullah, Fadli, Md Syed, Md Azalanshah
• Format: Article
• Published: Penerbit Univ Kebangsaan Malaysia 2022
• Subjects: PN Literature (General)
• Online Access: http://eprints.um.edu.my/43979/; https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85146015379&doi=10.17576%2fJKMJC-2022-3804-03&partnerID=40&md5=2b52ba781d6fe0dbaf85c6bb384aa8b1
• Institution: Universiti Malaya

The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the routine of human life to a new norm. The changes sparked various implications and differences of opinion in terms of religion, social, civilization, professionalism, and universal human rights. The media industry and journalism careers are no exception and have also suffered from economic constraints, staff reductions leading to the closure of news agencies. Compliance with the Movement Control Orders and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) of the newly introduced norms have been adapted to the current norms which eventually led to changes in newsroom and journalistic work routines. This study is an exploration that examines the careers of health news journalists in Malaysia in adjusting aspects of their professionalism, work norms and technology while working in pandemic situations. Based on in-depth interviews with journalists, sub-editors and health news editors from various news agencies, the study found that they are able to adapt to current changes and circumstances, as well as cultivate norms of flexibility without compromising professional ethics. In a short time, health news reporters are seen to be able to act by arranging work remotely or from home, adapting to online meeting with news sources and strengthening the structure of digital newsrooms through virtual communications and social media applications. Health news journalists in Malaysia are also seen to have high aspirations and self-esteem by prioritizing social responsibility over personal concerns over the Covid-19 virus. © 2022, Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. All rights reserved.