Digital Readiness of Malaysian Journalists

Abstract

Digital technology, also known as new media technology, has become an influential tool in this era. This technology is no longer an option anymore but it is a necessity in many fields. As one of the areas that are inextricably linked with technology, the media industry including journalism, cannot escape from being impacted upon by any technological development and changes. In this era, media organizations and journalists have to confront an important challenge which impacted them strongly in the mass media, namely the advent of Internet journalism. With that in mind, this paper will discuss the changing nature of Malaysian newsrooms and identify the digital readiness among them in accordance with the needs of the digital media era. With a questionnaire designed to determine how news organizations try to meet the latest demands from the convergence of the newsroom as well as the readiness of the journalists in facing the challenges of the new technologically driven newsrooms, the findings have provided insights into the leadership styles of Malaysian media organizations and the readiness of Malaysian journalists in facing the current technological complexities, the retraining of employees, and other skills needed in the twenty first century media organisations.