KUALA LUMPUR: Aspects of studies related to mobile journalism (mojo) need to be strengthened in institutes of higher learning to ensure that mass communication graduates are equipped with skills that meet the media industry's needs and demands.

Senior journalist at the digital media desk of the Malaysian National News Organisation (Bernama), Syed Iylia Hariz Al-Qadri Syed Izman, highlighted how mojo was transforming the news landscape through the collection and delivery of news material using mobile devices.

"Understanding and mastering mojo is becoming increasingly important, especially for mass communication students, as it is a market requirement in this digital age where digital media and social media platforms are primary channels for news dissemination," he said.

He stressed the need for universities to provide courses, or modules, introducing the basics of mojo, including its history, significance and evolution in journalism.

Iylia, who has worked at Bernama for more than 10 years, also emphasised the importance of helping students grasp the context and application of mojo in modern journalism.

The syllabus should include various components such as introduction to equipment and technology, effective digital content creation, and leveraging social media.

He said digital storytelling was an area that could be looked into, where students are taught how to tell stories effectively through digital platforms, including narration, data visualisation and multimedia integration, to increase audience involvement and understanding.

"In terms of journalistic ethics, it is necessary to ensure that students understand ethics in mojo and news reporting, such as fact verification, source selection and the method of producing content with integrity," he said.

Multimedia executive at Utusan TV, Zuid Ikh Ral Samson, noted that while mojo was advancing worldwide, its adoption in Malaysia remained slow, despite society's expectation for faster news delivery.

"In addition to mass communication students, photography and videography students also need to learn mojo and other new skills to secure employment.

"This is because journalism is becoming increasingly challenging."

He suggested that universities train all students in basic photography and videography techniques and introduce them to equipment such as gimbals and microphones for mojo use, besides exposing them to video and photo-editing applications.

Last December, the Communications Ministry, through the Tun Abdul Razak Institute of Broadcasting and Information (Ipptar), launched the Madani Mojo Reporter's Handbook to enhance the employability of professional media practitioners, including citizen journalists, for fast, authentic and accurate reporting.

As part of the celebration of National Journalists' Day (Hawana) 2024, a mojo workshop will be held at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), conducted by Iylia.

Hawana 2024, to be held in Kuching, Sarawak from May 25 to 27, will gather more than 1,000 media practitioners, representatives of local journalists' associations and media representatives from Asean member countries to exchange ideas and establish strategic relationships.

This year's celebration is organised by the Communications Ministry in collaboration with the Sarawak government, with Bernama serving as the implementing agency.

This marks the fourth edition of the event since its introduction in Kuala Lumpur in 2018, followed by celebrations in Melaka (2022) and Perak (2023).

May 29 has been gazetted as National Journalists' Day to commemorate the publication of the first edition of the Utusan Melayu newspaper on May 29, 1939, recognising the contributions of industry players in shaping the minds of an informed society and fostering cooperation and positive change in the industry. Bernama

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/05/1048583/enhance-mojo-courses-meet-industry-needs