SHAH ALAM: Industry players, including media professionals from Media Prima Berhad (MPB), joined university educators to provide aspiring journalists with hands-on training in community reporting and real-world newsroom skills.
The collaboration took place through Newscamp 5.0, a biennial media workshop organised by the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies (FKPM), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), held yesterday at Dewan Sri Meranti.
Carrying the theme “Community Journalism: A Catalyst for Social Change,” the workshop was joined by Malaysian Press Institute (MPI) chief executive officer Dr Ainol Amriz Ismail, Buletin TV3 news chief Azwaliza Azman, investigative journalist Hilmi Abdul Malik and multimedia journalist Zharif Aziz Desa.
Ainol said such programmes play a crucial role in preparing students for the demands of the industry.
“Many challenges await journalists in the future, and this programme certainly helps prepare participants before they undergo practical training,” he said.
Ainol said MPI also plans to organise a Mini Forum at UiTM Rembau Campus next month, describing such initiatives as vital platforms for bridging academia and the industry.
“University programmes like this act as a bridge for industry professionals to meet students and share their experiences,” he added.
Meanwhile, Hilmi shared insights on generating ideas, framing stories, and producing authentic community reports.
Participants also had the opportunity to take part in role-play activities simulating real interviews with sources.
Hilmi also expressed hope for more industry engagement in future workshops.
“I hope that in future programmes, more media figures will come to share their experiences with students to ensure they are well-prepared for the industry,” he said.
Also sharing his expertise was Zharif, who guided participants on developing high-impact community stories, including how to pitch news ideas effectively.
Zharif highlighted the crucial role journalists play in shaping society.
“The role of journalists is important because they do not merely convey information but also shape individuals who are useful, experienced, knowledgeable, and principled — like teachers who help impart knowledge,” he said.
Azwaliza also joined the session, sharing tips on news delivery, voice control, and intonation drawn from her newsroom experience.
Organised by final-year FKPM journalism students, Newscamp 5.0 drew over 100 participants from UiTM Shah Alam.
The initiative reinforced efforts to cultivate young journalists with integrity and a strong sense of social responsibility.
Through the workshop, participants not only learned the technical aspects of community reporting but also explored how journalism can serve as a platform for participation and empowerment within local communities.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
