10 students from Xiamen University Malaysia (XMUM) earned high praises from international media professionals for their insightful thoughts on media practices at Malaysia-Singapore Media Forum held in Singapore earlier this month.

The students, from Programme of Journalism and Programme of Chinese Studies, were commended for their critical perspectives on the current media consumption trends, especially among the younger generation.

They highlighted that the Chinese printed newspapers have become less popular because the readers, especially the younger generation are more drawn to electronic media. 

Lim Jim Koon, Lianhe Zaobao former Editor-in-Chief, said in his concluding remarks that  XMUM students’ wide exposure on issues relating to journalism impressed him greatly.

The two-day forum held in Singapore and Johor Bahru beginning at Dec. 4 attracted about 200 participants, including university students, journalists and editors from various news agencies from Malaysia, Taiwan, Singapore and France.

It was sponsored by Venerable Master Hsing Yun Public Education Trust Fund and organized by Malaysia-Singapore Media Association.

Under the theme of “The Positive Energy of Words”, the forum was aimed at encouraging media to perform its social responsibility and help create a positive and peaceful society. 

Shin Min Daily News chief editor and forum chairman Choo Chee Wee said developments in social media give everyone an opportunity to become a citizen journalist, posing a question to the authenticity and objectivity of news reporting.

“These allow the spread of false news on the Internet,” he said, urging journalists to maintain their authenticity despite the various challenges they faced now.

Well-known publisher and economist Dr. Charles H.C. Kao, the keynote speaker of the forum, agreed that “the challenger for today’s media people is how to make a thorough effort to pursue and report authentic news”.

He said that media practitioners should bring about a mindset change in the people and help promote progressive ideas in society.

XMUM students also expressed their ideas on media industry and shared their thoughts on the forum. 

Niu Rongting, a sophomore from Journalism Programme, argued that media professionals and users should stay objective and “uphold the concept of truth, goodness and beauty”.

“By attending this forum, I learned a lot about the development of media in Malaysia and Singapore as well as the future of the media,” said Chinese Studies student You Zongxiao.

By Zhao Hanyi, Wu Han Yang, student reporters of XMUM Journalism Programme