Uncovering The Factors Influencing The Technological Adaptation of Twitter Usage Among Journalists in the Transforming Journalism Practice

Authors

  • Massila Hamzah Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM)
  • Ima Liana Esa Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM)

Abstract

The increased usage of digital technologies has radically impacted the journalism profession across the globe. This qualitative study focuses on the factors influencing the technological adaptation of Twitter usage among journalists in the transforming journalism practice. To gain insights on the central focus of this study, ten (10) local news journalists at the News and Current Affairs Media Prima Berhad (NCA MPB) with professional profiles on Twitter were interviewed. Data analysis were conducted simultaneously with data collection and the NVivo 10 software was used in the coding process. Thematic analysis was employed to analyse the data. Findings revealed THREE (3) significant themes that contributed to the technological adaptation of Twitter usage among journalists, as follows; (i) willingness to collaborate (ii) technology acceptance gap, and (iii) institutional readiness and encouragement, which plays a salient role in facilitating the adoption process as well as bridging the technological gap among the journalists. An interesting finding in this present study warrants that institutional readiness is necessary to understand journalist's propensity to embrace and use cutting-edge technologies, from being a conventional journalist to adapt self and engage in the digital realm. With the blossoming platforms due to online boom and social media, journalists must embrace technology as an enabler for their professional relevance and the news industry survival. In conclusion, the institutional readiness is therefore necessary to ascertain the journalist's propensity to embrace the cutting-edge technologies in performing their challenging role in the changing media industry today. Keywords: Technological adaptation, Twitter, journalism practice, qualitative, media industry.

Author Biographies

Massila Hamzah, Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM)

Associate Professor Dr Massila Hamzah embark her humble journey in academia in the year 2000 at the Open University Malaysia after years of working in the private sector.  It was in 2004, that she started her career at the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM ) Malaysia. In UiTM, she holds numerous academic administrative posts since 2007 and currently, she is the faculty, Dean. Her commitment and leadership ability manifests itself in numerous initiatives for change and lead by doing to ensure the vision and mission of the faculty and ultimately the university are embraced by faculty members and students.At the University level and engagement through internationalization initiatives,  her contribution together with the faculty team marked a significant journey for UiTM being the first local university to collaborate with Al-Jazeera Media Network in Doha, Qatar. Her appointment as UNESCO  committee member in Information for All Programme (IFAP) and International Programme for the Development Communication(IPDC)  IFAP has proven her involvement in international discussions and planning for actions in the area of access to information and knowledge. She has also made a significant contribution in the area of intercultural communication to the university’s Virtual Mobility across Malaysian borders.In teaching and learning, she inspires and motivates students to honour their versatility and skills needed in the world of work (WoW). Over the years, she supervised and graduated many students at Diploma, First Degree, Masters and PhD candidates. Massila devoted her time and passion in planning and curating the curriculum for future graduates of Communication and media studies, with a specific area of expertise in Liberal Communication Intercultural Communication and Interpersonal Communication. Over the years, she dedicated her time and effort in nurturing academic staffs and students in facing the rigours of the changing media landscape, locally and internationally.She aims to achieve the academic prowess, be recognized as a communication scholar by producing research and consultancies, making initiatives for publications, innovations, conference presentations as well as industry collaborations. Her research interests lie in areas of Media Sociology, Intercultural Communication and Interpersonal Communication.In her younger years, the experience of undergoing the military training and involvement in Territorial Army Regiment (RAW) was indeed a turning point in building great discipline, teamwork, courage and a sense of duty. Her regular Yoga and Qigong practice brings peace, flexibility, mental discipline, life balance apart from exercising the mind and soul.

Ima Liana Esa, Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM)

Ima Liana Esa was born in Malaysia and currently a Multimedia Journalist at TV3, Media Prima Berhad since 2008. She received her Bachelor of Mass Communication (Hons.) Broadcasting from Universiti Teknologi MARA in 2008 and just completed Master of Journalism at Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam. She won best presenter title for her journal, “The Changing Roles and Adaptability of Conventional Journalist to Multimedia Journalist: A Study On the Use of Twitter in The News and Current Affairs Division of Media Prima Berhad” at the International Conference on Media and Social Science (iCOMS) 2019.

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Published

2020-12-11

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Vol. 36 No. 4 (2020)

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