MEDIA ORGANISATIONS URGED TO EMBRACE NEW MEDIA TO ATTRACT YOUNGER AUDIENCE

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 9 (Bernama)-- The media organisations in this country,
especially the print media, have to embrace the new media, such as social
networks and blogs, as a new medium tool to disseminate information to the
community, especially the younger generation.

The New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd Group Managing Editor Zainul Ariffin Mohamed
Isa said, the younger people liked to see faster news which were available
instantly in gadgets such as iPod.

"We as a news organisation have to face and embrace it. Younger people want
faster news but simple in gadget such as iPod and mobile phones that are
available instantly.

"In other words, media organisations have to invest in this kind of
technology to ensure their readers will continue to be loyal readers of their news,"
he said when opening the third Malaysian Press Institute (MPI) International
Journalism Fellowship, here Monday.

Also present was Editor-In Chief of Harian Metro cum MPI Secretary, Mustapha Omar.

The three-week seminar held from Monday until Dec 3, brings together 20
journalists from Asean member countries, Mongolia and Uzbekistan to share
journalism skills and foster closer relationships.

Zainul Ariffin said the younger generation nowadays also preferred the changes
in the newspaper content.

He said through these changes, media organisations could become stronger and
would attract more readers to make certain media organisations as their main
sources of news.

Meanwhile, Filipina Myla Iglesias, 26, from the Malaya Business Insight, hoped
she could improve her journalistic skills, besides sharing knowledge with her
counterparts and hoped to be able to visit the beautiful places in Malaysia.

While Khuder Batta, 25, from Montsame News Agency, Mongolia expressed his hope
that the workshop could enhance his journalistic skills and proficiency in
English.
-- BERNAMA