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1980
Escalation of News Reading Preference
In The Post Vicennial Era of New Media Revolution
Saiful Nujaimi Abdul Rahman1, Syed Agil AlSagoff2, Miharaini
Md Ghani3
Department of Communication, Faculty of Modern Languages and Communication,
University Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
Email: nujaimi@upm.edu.my, s_agil@upm.edu.my, miharaini@upm.edu.my
Abstract
The gradual degradation of conventional newspapers has become inevitable today. Just
about a decade ago, compact newspaper was viewed as the most preferred public reading
news medium – and predicted to last for at least another 20 years. Ironically, its decline is
no longer a mere speculation with the presence of new media – online news platforms. This
latest hybrid of journalistic medium has become the latest reading trend in today's era of
post vicennial new media revolution. This new journalistic horizon, nevertheless, must be
embraced by all media organizations with precise comprehension of its spiritual and physical
demands and needs. Concisely, today's public reading preference has skewed to a fresher
and simpler medium of news presentation – the online news. This phenomenon has made
many media organizations paused to restructure their operations to cater the demand and
needs of the new horizon of communication. Hence, this paper began with a few queries –
among others are in finding out the areas of reformation that had been accomplished by the
Malaysian media organizations in fulfilling the increasing demands of the public on online
news, and in determining the key factors that triggered the change of reading preference
among Malaysian. Findings of this research may alter our perceptions on how rapid the
public attitude in gratifying their media as the source of information. Yielded results are
expected to instil better understanding upon the possibilities of future threats and obstacles
that may befall unto any news publication. In short, this paper aspires to generate better
understanding on contemporary news' reading preference – not only amongst Malaysians,
but also in ensuring the future relevance of news representation throughout this digital
millennium.
Keywords: Reading Preference, Compact Newspapers, Online News, New Media.
Vol 13, Issue 12, (2023) E-ISSN: 2222-6990
To Link this Article: http://dx.doi.org/10.6007/IJARBSS/v13-i12/19358 DOI:10.6007/IJARBSS/v13-i12/19358
Published Date: 11 December 2023
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ACADEMIC RESEARCH IN BUSINESS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
Vol. 13, No. 12, 2023, E-ISSN: 2222-6990 © 2023
1981
Introduction
In the past vicennial, wireless voice communications in Malaysia have expanded
significantly. Wireless technologies hold the promise for the future data transfer, as we are
rapidly becoming an information society. Nevertheless, wireless technologies have significant
potential to serve our information needs (Huntington, 1999). This potential for providing
information services will result in the fastest growing market today. Wireless technologies are
seen as the prime movers in the telecommunications arena (Rahman & Hashim, 2022).
Globally to date, almost all universities have built wireless networks on their campuses. These
networks enable staff and students to access data from any point on the campus. All of these
advancements representing the convergence of two fastest growing markets and developing
technologies in the telecommunications field – as the catalyst to the telecommunications
landscape’s development (ibid.). In this regard, the Malaysian government has promoted
building its telecommunications service industry under the control of local entrepreneurs. As
the new millennium dawns, the local telecommunications industry is expected to play a more
prominent role in helping to create an informed society. Malaysia has also introduced the
Communications and Multimedia Act in 1998 (Mohammad, 2000). The Act is the first
legislation of its kind in the global effort to address the issues arising from the convergence
of the telecommunications, broadcasting, and computing industries. And thus, made
Malaysia amongst the pioneers in electronic government (ibid.)
Objective of the Research
This research aims at determining the future prospect of conventional newspapers in the
vicennial era of post-digital revolution – considering the rapid escalation of reading
preference towards online news). In precise, the objectives are:
i.) To determine Malaysians reading preferences on online news in comparison to
compact newspapers
ii.) To determine Malaysians reading gratifications on online news in comparison to
compact newspapers
iii.) To determine Malaysians basis of reading preferences and gratifications of online
news in comparison to compact newspapers
Literature
Defining 'new media' is rather a very subjective notion. Definitions may vary tremendously
and arguments are almost unavoidable. This is due to the term 'new' itself. With today's rapid
development of technology, what is extremely new today might be the relic of tomorrow.
However, in the simplest and most agreeable definition, 'new media' can be well understood
as the most popular, acceptable, and the latest mass medium for contemporary media
agencies in disseminating their messages to their masses (Rahman et al., 2022). Malaysian
new media was first originated from the information communication technology campaign
by our government herself – which upholds a noble ambition in empowering her citizens to
face global challenges and tackling global threats with the arrival of globalization. For such
aims, Malaysia since then has allowed for the efficient and cost effective flow of information,
products, workforce, and capital across national and regional boundaries (ibid.). Though
information communication technology is not a panacea for all rural development problems,
it has the potential to help rural poor to leap from some traditional barriers to development
(Jaafar, 2002). As for the case of Malaysia, the use of communication technology is expanding
rapidly, whence it comprises of a diverse set of technological tools and resources to create,
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disseminate, store, and manage data and information (ibid.). Traditional communicational
tools such as television, radio, and telephone have proven their effectiveness in promoting
development in marginalized areas (Rahman et al., 2022).
Indeed, communication technology came along with the emergence of computers via internet
facilities (a cordless communication technology), that are attached to powerful soft wares for
processing text, and audio visual materials (Zainudin et al., 2021). This technological
advancement had slashed the costs of information and communication – thus, costs of
transmitting digital information to anywhere in the globe has fallen dramatically (ibid.).
Despite the opportunities for development, developing countries like Malaysia also has to
face some negative aspects of post-digital revolution. As a result, few gaps were created – i.e.
the rich against the poor, the developed against the undeveloped, and the technologically
literate against the illiterate. All of these misfortunes have sum up to the creation of another
terminology – 'the digital divide'. Numerous studies on digital divide had observed that all
countries had been increasing their access to ICT - though the developed countries move
faster than the developing countries (Ahmed, 2001).
Demands of Globalization in the New Media Revolution
Globalization today has become an idea so entrenched that it is very difficult to say or do
anything that is against it. To do so would involve charges of heresy (Mohammad, 2000). The
dissenter becomes the object of universal opprobrium. He or she is bound to be castigated
by all and sundry and shunned – even by his or her friends or own kinds (ibid.). Today,
however difficult it will be, one must pause to ponder on the literal meaning of globalization.
Its initial meaning is a formation of practical union of all countries into a single global entity –
of which, physical borders would separate any nation no more (Rahman & Hashim, 2022).
Perhaps the simplest understanding of globalization means the whole world becoming a
single community via the assistance of high technology and international communication
(ibid.).
According to Friedman (2000), globalization (as the father of new media) began somewhere
in late 1989 in a bad Cold War and a choked economy era, while the global populations were
left at the mercy of bureaucrats. To other scholars, globalization is another form of
imperialism – an extension of economic bounty’s pursuance among colonizers (Musa, 2002).
Perhaps, the notorious difference between today's means of globalization and colonialism is
that the latter was of no choice of resisting – whereas in today's globalization, world nations
embrace freely (ibid.). In today's globalized world, no nation is literally forced to join – for any
nation can opt out, close its doors, or censoring some of the influences from the outside world
(Hassan & Rahman, 2000). However, most scholars realized did not perceive technology is
neutral by virtue – therefore, it could bring highly unpredictable repercussions (ibid.). In fact,
it took some time for the world to realize that modern technology do not limit only to
information technology. It has enabled, especially neighbouring countries and companies, to
mutually enrich one another (Greider, 2000). If we can imagine how our grandparents felt
about the freedom of movement when automobiles were first introduced, we can appreciate
this sense of freedom internet has made possible in this new media age. Despite most older
generations are still afraid of 'a test drive of new media', most youth have already adopted
surfing as their second nature (Rahman et al., 2022). In fact, the contemporary escalating
inclination of online news (and the degradation of reading preference of print compact
newspapers) is a form of a youth-led revolution (ibid.). After all, being young, dynamic, and
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1983
seeking for greater ideals in life – this globalism provides the basis for youthful energy to
thrive for the betterment of the self and mankind at large (Rustam, 2004).
Media Theories
Two theories were applied for this study:
1.) Uses and Gratifications Theory (Blumler & Katz, 1974)
2.) Media Dependency Theory (Ball-Rokeach & DeFleur, 1976)
Uses and Gratifications Theory: this theory was created by Blumler and Katz in 1974 –
which dealt with comfortability of media audience. It assumes that any audience may
actively use media to fulfil several personal needs (Blumler & Katz, 1974), and they
knew the reasons that lead them to use a specific mass medium (Johnson & Kaye,
2004; Palmgreen, 1984). It dealt with audience-centred perspective, emphasizing on
individual choice in clarifying media effects, of when audience activity is the core
concept perspective – and becoming apparent in people’s selectivity, intention,
involvement, and utility with the mass media (Blumler & Katz, 1974). When someone
is comfortable with a particular media, it is very unlikely to change for another – as
long as they felt gratified with its content (Wimmer & Dominick, 2014).
However, anyone may have various activities when using media, and thus makes
media behaviour is variably purposeful and goal directed (Ruggiero, 2000). At the end
of the day, levels of utility, intention, selectivity, and involvement vary when media
are experienced by people under different circumstances (Kim, 2015). The theory also
focuses on the identification of the people’s motivations for the use of different
media, and had become one of the most acknowledged analysis perspectives of the
adoption and use of communication media (ibid.). As for this study, it was applied to
determine the level of gratifications among the Malaysians upon reading online news
in comparison to conventional compact newspapers.
Media Dependency Theory: As for this theory, it was stated that when any individual
lives turned to be more complex, he or she will become more dependent to the media
(Tai, Z., & Sun, T., 2007). Dependency on something occurred when any entity’s
fulfilment is depending upon the assets of another (Loges & Ball-Rokeach, 1999). This
theory (as created by Ball-Rokeach and DeFleur, 1976) stated that the ultimate basis
of media impact lies within the idea of three connections.
The three connections co-exist between social system; the media roles in the system;
and, the relationship of the audience with media – reciprocally and continuously (Ball-
Rokeach & DeFleur, 1976). As indicated in this study, there had been a high reliance
on media for information among Malaysians throughout the past 20 years after the
new media revolution. Evidently, this phenomenon is connected to the fact that media
impact is dictated by the interrelations between media, its audience, and its society
(ibid.). More, this theory also predicted that mass media have affective, cognitive, and
behavioural affect upon any society it serves (ibid.). Such cognitive functions include
ambiguity resolution – of which can be accomplished rapidly in the midst of social
change (i.e. the new media revolution).
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Research Methodology
The focus of this research is upon four mainstream print media news agencies located
within the heart of Malaysia's capital city – the Klang Valley of Kuala Lumpur. The four
agencies are Utusan Melayu (M) Berhad and Berita Harian Sdn. Bhd. (later grouped as the
Malay News Agencies) and The New Straits Times (M) Bhd and The Star Publications (M) Bhd
– (later grouped as the English News Agencies). These four media agencies were chosen based
on few essential criteria: (1) Having profound historical background, (2) Being the pioneers of
compact newspapers publication, and (3) Begun their first publication in broadsheet size
newspapers, before evolving to compact newspapers.
The instrument of this research is a set of self-administered questionnaires, which had
been disseminated online via google form application. This method was chosen due to: (1) a
good set of questionnaires will never create any difficulties of understanding to the
respondents; (2) a set of questionnaires are non-time consuming and most of the time it saves
a lot of energy and costs; and, (3) dissemination via online platform has wider coverage as
well as in accordance with contemporary research approach in this age of new media
revolution. The set of questionnaires were divided into two sections. The first dealt with
general questions regarding the demographic information of the respondents; the second
section dealt with precise questions about the respondents' perception upon the important
of informative elements in the published news articles.
The uni-dimentionality of Likert scales (McLeod, 2019) were applied to this section:
(1) Strongly disagree; (2) Disagree; (3) Undecided; (4) Agree; (5) Strongly Agree. These
questionnaires were developed after precise references to techniques applied by numerous
scholars (Wimmer & Dominick, 2014; Babbie ,2021). All demographic questionnaires were
aimed at determining the independent variables of this research. Gender, race, and highest
education were measured nominally, while current age and monthly income were measured
ordinally. All questions in the second section were developed to measure dependent
variables.
Respondents and Samplings
The research respondents are Malaysian of Klang Valley (Klang Valley is the other
name for Kuala Lumpur surrounding areas). After referring to Babbie (2021), the chosen
respondents had represented the characteristics of the population for this research – since
this research is also a message-oriented study (Rubin et al., 2005). More, all questionnaires
were used to elicit the respondents’ demographic information and their exposures to new
preference of media reporting of newspapers. Pre-testing of all instruments was further
conducted, and reliability test yielded alpha value of 0.72. Total of 400 respondents from
Klang Valley were involved – with 383 respondents have returned the complete and useable
questionnaire forms. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS),
Version 28.0. The alpha levels of all independent variables are more than 0.05 – as displayed
in Table 1.
Research Findings And Discussions
Demographic Findings:
Total number of female respondents is higher than the males. However, there’s no significant
differences. Majority of the respondents are comparatively young. Working age group began
from 18 and above after considering the eligible age for working (Rubin et al., 2005). The data
shows that majority of respondents belong to middle class and above – the social stratification
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that should have enriched themselves with information (Reeves, 1993). In answering all the
objectives of this research, the study has first determined the level of the respondents'
awareness of the latest Malaysian newspapers agencies' inclination on publishing online news
The purpose is to ensure the respondents' significance in participating with the consecutive
questions proposed in this research.
Table 1:
Demographic Variables (n = 383)
Demography Analysis
x 2 dk p
Gender 2.666 3 0.446
Race 3.017 3 0.389
Highest education 5.171 9 0.819
Current age 8.783 12 0.721
Monthly income 4.094 6 0.664
Findings on Table 2 below, showed a great majority of the respondents were aware of the
latest inclination. The findings also showed that the Malay respondents have outnumbered
the other races by 97.9% compared to the Chinese (87.7%) and the Indian (80.3%). All of the
respondents were found significant for this study.
Table 2:
Awareness of Malaysians on Inclination Towards Online News (n = 383)
Race of
respondents
Disagree
Undecided
Agree
Total
Malay
2.3
0.8
97.9
100%
Chinese
3.1
6.1
87.7
100%
Indian
5.3
10.5
80.3
100%
Malaysians Reading Preference of Online News in Comparison to Compact Newspapers
Table 3 demonstrated the existence of a high recommendation from the majority of
Malaysians toward the Malaysian newspaper agencies for significant changes in news
dissemination. The highest score upon reading preference is upon online news' headlines
more appealing to the contemporary public compared to compact newspapers by 75.3%
(when we total up on both percentages of agreed and strongly agreed scores). Nevertheless,
simple yet attractive, but without losing the integral approach in disseminating information
the headlines of contemporary compact newspapers have gained the majority of Malaysian
public preference. Indeed, this rising concern of the public on the importance of new
approaches in disseminating knowledge and information in the newspapers is nothing new,
especially to the developing countries (Loges & Ball-Rokeach, 1999).
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The highest score on the negative reading preference (if we total up on both of the
percentages of disagreed and strongly disagreed scores) as displayed on Table 3, is upon the
item online news provides more sensational and interesting news compared to compact
newspaper by 26.6%. This has somehow denied the many assumptions that the
contemporary public prefer only on the sensational and interesting news as their feeders for
daily information. However, majority of the respondents remain undecided on the item online
news provides trustworthy news compared to compact newspapers by 44.0%.
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Table 3:
Items
Percentages
Mean (x
2)
Standard
deviation (p)
SD
D
UD
A
SA
Online news provides
more trustworthy news
compared to compact
newspapers
4.7
6.7
44.0
37.3
7.3
3.360
0.892
Online news provides
more resourceful news
compared to compact
newspapers
4.0
12.0
29.3
44.7
10.0
3.447
0.966
Online news provides
more sensational and
interesting news
compared to compact
newspapers
9.3
17.3
30.0
35.3
8.0
3.153
1.098
Online news provides
more issues that appeal
to new generations
compared to compact
newspapers
2.7
7.3
24.0
53.3
12.7
3.660
0.889
Online new provide
more fair reporting
compared to compact
newspapers
1.3
8.7
30.0
48.0
12.0
3.607
0.858
Online news headlines
more appealing to the
contemporary public
interests compared to
compact newspapers
4.0
8.0
12.7
52.0
23.3
3.827
1.008
SD = Strongly disagreed D = Disagreed UD = Undecided A = Agreed SA = Strongly agreed
Malaysians Reading Gratifications on Online News
The three highest individual scores (on agreed scores) are for item online news
provides more appealing issues to the society compared to compact newspapers (58.7%),
online news provides more attractive photos and more interesting new reporting styles
compared to compact newspapers (57.3%), and, online news provides more contemporary
languages in reporting compared to compact newspapers (56.7%).
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Table 4:
Malaysians Reading Gratifications of Online News in Comparison to Compact Newspapers (n
= 383)
Items
Percentages
Mean (x 2)
Standard
deviation (p)
SD
D
UD
A
SA
Online news provides
more sufficient and
satisfactory information
compared to compact
newspapers
2.7
13.3
30.0
48.0
6.0
3.413
0.891
Online news provides
more reliable
information compared
to compact newspapers
2.0
12.7
18.7
53.3
13.3
3.633
0.937
Online news provides
more attractive photos
and more interesting
new reporting styles
compared to compact
newspapers
2.7
12.0
19.3
57.3
8.7
3.573
0.907
Online news provides
more appealing issues to
the society compared to
compact newspapers
2.7
7.3
17.3
58.7
14.0
3.740
0.886
Online news provides
more contemporary
languages in reporting
compared to compact
newspapers
2.0
10.0
18.0
56.7
13.3
3.693
0.897
Online news provides
less misreporting
compared to compact
newspapers
4.7
12.7
49.3
30.7
2.7
3.140
0.8438
SD = Strongly disagreed D = Disagreed UD = Undecided A = Agreed SA = Strongly agreed
The highest score is on item online news provides more appealing issues to the society
compared to compact newspapers by 58.7% has somehow confirmed by Itule and Anderson
(2006). More, the highest score on negative reading gratifications (when total up disagreed
and strongly disagreed scores) is on item online news provides less misreporting compared to
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compact newspapers (17.4%). This finding is significant to contemporary Malaysian news
agencies in embarking strategies to mend such digital news’ discrepancy. Lots of online news
are making simple, yet consistent and obviously repetitious mistakes. Table 4 also displayed
the third highest percentage of respondents remain undecided on item online news provides
more sufficient and satisfactory information compared to compact newspapers (30.0%). The
second highest percentage of respondents remain undecided is on Table 5 for online news
makes the public more concern on academic-oriented issues compared to compact
newspapers (38.7%). Perhaps, the online news has its own disadvantages in term of spaces
available for lengthy news coverage (ibid.). However, this percentage was overruled by the
score of 48.0% of the same item category (Table 4). This findings, is in accordance with
contemporary online news orientations that focuses more on local issues than the nationals
or internationals (ibid.).
Malaysians Basis of Reading Preferences and Gratifications of Online News in Comparison
to Compact Newspapers
The notorious individual score is on item online news provides more vital
contemporary information compared to compact newspapers by 50.0%. However, the overall
highest is online news provides more attractive and resourceful supplement compared to
compact newspapers (66.0% when total up both agreed and strongly agreed scores). Again,
this finding is in accordance with Itule and Anderson (2006) that, such matter is among the
significant criteria for future survival of news. On the other hands, the highest score on the
negative basis of reading preferences and gratifications is upon item online news did not
provide more sufficient information compared to compact newspapers (40.7% when total up
both disagreed and strongly disagreed scores). Meaning, majority of the respondents
disagreed that online news (despite the constraint of space) did not able to provide sufficient
information. However, Table 5 also displayed the second highest percentage of respondents
remain undecided on item online news makes the public more concern on academic-oriented
issues compared to compact newspapers (38.7%). This finding is equally significant to
Malaysian news agencies – of which they should take a proper measure in building a more
credible human capital by restructuring strategies to overcome such opinion (Awang, 2004).
As mentioned earlier, there had been a lot of simple, yet consistent and obviously
repetitious mistakes in Malaysians’ online newspapers today – especially on the choice of
words in reporting academic-oriented issues. Perhaps, conventional Malaysians news
agencies must allocate more staffs at their online sections as an immediate resolution to such
challenge. Such resolution is imperative in sustaining a healthy climate of media dependency
– i.e. maintaining the reciprocal and continuous existence of the social system; media roles in
the system; and, relationship of the audience (Ball-Rokeach & DeFleur, 1976).
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Table 5:
Malaysians Basis of Reading Preferences and Gratifications of Online News in Comparison
to Compact Newspapers (n=383)
Items
Percentages
Mean (x 2)
Standard
deviation (p)
SD
D
UD
A
SA
Online news did not
provide more sufficient
information compared to
compact newspapers
6.7
34.0
33.3
21.3
4.7
2.833
0.993
Online news makes the
public more concern on
academic-oriented
issues compared to
compact newspapers
6.0
15.3
38.7
34.7
5.3
3.180
0.963
Online news provides
more vital current
information compared to
compact newspapers
6.7
10.7
32.0
50.0
0.7
3.273
0.912
Online news provides
more latest approach in
disseminating heavy
information compared to
compact newspapers
10.0
31.3
32.7
22.0
4.0
2.787
1.027
Online news provides
more comprehensive
news coverage
compared to compact
newspapers
7.3
27.3
35.3
27.3
2.7
2.907
0.972
Online news provides
more attractive and
resourceful supplement
compared to compact
newspapers
5.3
6.7
22.0
44.7
21.3
3.700
1.048
SD = Strongly disagreed D = Disagreed UD = Undecided A = Agreed SA = Strongly agreed
Conclusion
Mastering new media revolution is a worn-out cliché. Nobody could claim such ability in
manoeuvring this perilous and treacherous realm of globalization – despite the term
globalization has been with us since Francis Drake or Ferdinand Magellan circumnavigated
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the globe. Thus, whatever the new media revolution brings, it should only be welcomed if it
serves the interest of everyone at large. It should stand as the property of all mankind,
including the poorest individual of an isolated province (Rahman et al., 2022).
To Malaysia, today's post vicennial era of new media revolution could be manoeuvred
towards bringing about a better world, provided that the majority are not fanatical (Karim &
Khalid, 2003). Malaysia will always be on the lookout for adverse consequences and
consistently steadfast in taking corrective measures (ibid.). There is always a high price to be
paid by those who blindly embrace the entire package of new media revolution and the era
beyond (Rahman et al., 2022). Referring to this research findings, it is evident for media
agencies to further strengthen their online news platforms – as lesser and lesser people are
reading printed compact newspapers. Apparently, the online news as a part of new media
revolution’s parcel, did not occur in vacuum – neither the most celebrated compact
newspaper before (ibid.). Evidently, these new media reading preferences’ phenomena will
never be the finale of media challenges in this digital millennium.
For instance, in 2005, all Malaysia’s print media agencies had transformed their print
newspapers from broadsheet-size to compact-size. However, in less than five years, all
Malaysia’s print media agencies had to venture into digital online newspapers due to the
inevitable escalation of public’s news reading preference. Such rapidity of change must be
properly attended to by all media agencies globally since the new media technology brought
along its new set of media users’ preference and gratifications. Findings in this study had
shown that the significant rise on the level of gratifications among the Malaysians upon
reading online news had significantly arisen in comparison to conventional compact
newspapers. This is in accordance with Uses and Gratifications Theory (Blumler & Katz, 1974),
that dealt with comfortability of media audience, audience-centred perspective, individual
choice in clarifying media effects.
Findings had also shown that more Malaysians were dependent on reading online
Tai, news in comparison to conventional newspapers as their lives becoming more complex (
). This phenomenon is in accordance with Media Dependency Theory of which, & Sun, 2007
the ultimate basis of media impact lies within the idea of three connections – the co-existence
between social system, the media roles in the system, and, the reciprocal and continuous
findings 1976). Thus, all Rokeach & DeFleur, -Ballrelationship of the audience with media (
from this research had pointed out towards the importance of all media agencies to be
consistently adaptive towards change, ability to manoeuvre the unpredictable demands of
media trends, and the ever-shifting media audience’s preference throughout this post
vicennial era of new media revolution. Such immense digital challenges had never been faced
by any media agencies since mass media were born in the past millennium.
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Authors’ Biodata
1. Saiful Nujaimi Abdul Rahman is a Resident Academic (Senior Lecturer) of
Journalism Studies at the Department of Communication, FBMK at the Universiti
Putra Malaysia (UPM). His areas of specialization are Journalism, Public Oration,
Speech Text Writing, Communication Ethics, Leadership Communication,
Intercultural Communication, and New Media. He may be contacted via:
a. Full Name: Saiful Nujaimi Abdul Rahman
b. E-mail address: nujaimi@upm.edu.my
2. Ts. Dr. Syed Agil Alsagoff is a Resident Academic (Senior Lecturer) of Journalism
Studies at the Department of Communication, FBMK at the Universiti Putra Malaysia
(UPM). He was a founder CEO of Student Volunteerism Foundation (YSS) under
Ministry of Higher Education, College Master for UPM and PR exe for UTM. He
obtained his PhD in Media Regulation from University Malaya and a Project Leader,
he has secured RM500,000 worth of over several research grants/projects with a
highly talented team. He has published more than 30 academic articles and over 200
popular articles, and been actively invited as a keynote speaker at the national and
international conferences. He may be contacted via:
a. Full Name: Syed Agil Shekh Alsagoff
b. E-mail address: s_agil@upm.edu.my
3. Miharaini Md Ghani is currently a teaching fellow in Mass Communication for the
Department of Communication, Faculty of Modern Languages and Communication,
Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Malaysia. She received her Bachelor Degree in Mass
Communication (Public Relations - Hons (Universiti Teknologi Mara), Master of
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ACADEMIC RESEARCH IN BUSINESS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
Vol. 13, No. 12, 2023, E-ISSN: 2222-6990 © 2023
1994
Science in Organizational Communication (UPM) and PhD in Mass Communication.
Her areas of specialization are mass communication, health communication,
organizational communication, AI, media technology, and behavioral change. She
may be contacted via:
a. Full Name: Miharaini Md Ghani
b. E-mail address: miharaini@upm.edu.my
