BY: NUR FARRA AELISYA BINTI MOHD SHAARI
PROGRAM: COMMUNICATION
SEMESTER: 6
FACULTY: FACULTY OF LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT, UNIVERSITY SIANS ISLAM MALAYSIA, NILAI,NEGERI SEMBILAN
MAJOR: BROADCASTING
The forum “Industry Media 5.0:Trends, Demands & Transformation”, held at Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) on 22nd April 2025, was not just an ordinary discussion or typical academic talk. To me, as a broadcasting student, it was a gentle wake-up call – an eye-opening experience that revealed how deeply rooted journalism is in our field. Too often, people assume that broadcasting is only about visuals, speaking well, looking presentable on camera, editing videos or operating cameras. But in reality, without the fundamentals of journalism – writing, researching, ethics and storytelling – the entire production risks becoming empty and superficial.
The panelists – Datuk Yong Soo Heong (President of the Malaysian Press Institute), Haji Ainol Amriz Ismail (CEO of the Malaysian Press Institute), and Ally Iskandar (TV presenter, producer, and journalist), guided by moderator Associate Professor Dr. Nur Kareelawati Abd Karim – shared insightful perspectives and opinions on the future of media, emphasizing the values of being human-centric, resilient and sustainable.
As broadcasting students, we are often trained to look presentable on camera, create compelling visuals or become creative editors. But Ally Iskandar’s reflections on storytelling and the role of AI stirred something within me. He stressed that technology alone is not enough – it is the human touch, our creativity and the unique angle webring to a story that make content truly meaningful. I realized a profound truth: a good broadcaster must also be a great storyteller.
He emphasized that even ordinary events can become extraordinary when told with care and skill – without relying entirely on AI. This insight reminded me how essential it is to develop journalistic instincts when writing scripts, producing documentaries or conducting meaningful interviews. Without the ability to gather facts, craft compelling narratives and understand the social context, any story delivered on TV would be little more than a hollow performance.
Both Datuk Yong Soo Heong and Haji Ainol Amriz Ismail also pointed out that society must be prepared to face the Media 5.0 era – an age of advanced technology – by mastering the machine, rather than becoming its servant. As a student frequently exposed to editing tools, AI and platforms like TikTok and YouTube, I admit we often take these technologies for granted. But this forum reminded me that the quality of content begins with credible sources and a deep understanding of the issues. Haji Ainol emphasized that while the media has evolved – from print to screen, from pen to code – human verification and integrity still matter, even when using tools like ChatGPT.
He also spoke about the structural changes in media education and the growing need to train solo journalists – individuals capable of writing, filming, editing and reporting independently. This is especially relevant for broadcasting students like us, who are increasingly creating our own digital content. To be effective, we must stay informed about current issues, know how to ask the right questions in interviews and write news or documentary scripts that are both accurate and ethical.
As someone learning numerous production techniques, this forum made me realize that without the foundation of journalism, all other aspects of broadcasting risk being lost. I’ve come to understand why every script must balance fact, emotion and logic – because these are the core principles of journalism as well.
I believe this forum served as a powerful reminder that in the era of Media 5.0, broadcasting and journalism are no longer two separate worlds. They must converge to create hybrid journalists-future professionals who excel in writing, digital technology and journalistic ethics. In a time dominated by misinformation and emotional manipulation, news anchors and TV hosts must be more than skilled speakers; they must be truth-tellers.
This forum did more than discuss the future of media – it made me reconsider my own future. What I once viewed as two separate paths – broadcasting and journalism – now feel like one meaningful journey I must fully embrace.
