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- Volume 25, Issue, 2015
Journal of Asian Pacific Communication - Volume 25, Issue 2, 2015
Volume 25, Issue 2, 2015
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Sustaining internet usage in the emerging digital economy: Transforming urban living?
Author(s): Ali Salman, Mohd Yusof Hj. Abdullah, Normah Mustaffa and Wan Amizah Wan Mahmudpp.: 169–180 (12)More LessMalaysia is undergoing tremendous development programs towards a developed nation. ICT initiative is one of the strategies to facilitate the implementation of economic, social and cultural development in the society. The embrace (adoption) of ICT among the people depends on many factors which facilitate or inhibit the use of ICT. The purpose of this paper is to determine the factors that facilitate internet usage among urban dwellers living in the Klang Valley, an area comprising the capital city, Kuala Lumpur and parts of the state of Selangor. This is crucial in order to trace the impact of various public sector ICT initiatives like the High Speed Broadband (HSBB). The study distributed 303 questionnaires to respondents who were sampled from internet users. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were used to analyse the data. The descriptive statistics included frequency, percentages, means and standard deviation while the inferential statistics included reliability test, means and multiple regressions. The results of the study showed that factors such as interpersonal and social network, perceived and realized benefits and communication channels facilitate internet usage. Implication of this usage is expected to reflect on urban living with regard to the use of Internet.
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Transformation challenge for magazines advertising expenditure (ADEX) revenue in Malaysia
Author(s): Shahrul Nazmi Sannusi, Normah Mustaffa and Muhammad Adnan Bin Pitchanpp.: 181–190 (10)More LessThe Advertising Expenditures or (ADEX) revenue is a major contributor for the survival of magazine publishing. In the recent report by the Magazine Publisher Association (MPA 2014) shows a total of RM207.8 million ADEX was successfully secured by the local publishing company. From the total amount, RM120.9 million was dominated by English-language magazine publishers, while only RM60.1 million was achieved by Malay-language magazine publishers. This paper will discuss on factors, as well as potential and challenges in this magazine publishing industry. The main question is, how the local magazine publisher now is ready to face the changes in the industry which is seen to be challenging. The secondary analysis method has been applied to the data from the latest ADEX report which is provided by Magazine Publisher Association (MPA 2014) from 2010 to 2014 (July). The findings of this analysis indicate ADEX earning in the English-language magazines is more than the Malay-language magazines. However, ADEX for the English-language magazines has declined over the past four years, as well as the number of magazines published are less than the Malay-language magazines which are considered to be more stable even though their revenue is less. Competition with other media channels, readers’ purchasing power and preference are seen as factors contributing to this trend. Thus, it can be concluded that the Malay-language magazines are still competitive and have more stable prospects as compared to the English-language magazines, despite their low ADEX turnover.
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Diabetes knowledge in health communication research: Are we measuring the right knowledge?
Author(s): Emma Mohamad, Mohd Rezal Hamzah, Sabariah Mohamed Salleh and Abdul Latiff Ahmadpp.: 191–207 (17)More LessThis paper reviews systematically measurements used in past studies on diabetes and explore how these measurements can be improved for future studies conducted in Malaysia. Diabetes is chosen in reflection of the seriousness of this disease in Asian region and acknowledging how knowledge can serve as an important tool in health self management. 11 out of 561 articles were identified for analytical purposes in tandem with the observed theme; measurement of knowledge for diabetic patients. Out of these 11 studies, eight studies were conducted in Asia. Further exploration on the items used to measure knowledge uncover critical need to include dimension of cultural knowledge on diabetes among patients, as opposed to focussing only on scientific health knowledge items. Measuring cultural knowledge of diabetes helps researchers understand holistically about patients’ interpretation of their illness and how patients assess risks in relation to their health choices. When dealing with non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, knowledge serves as a vital tool to empower patients, increase self efficacy and instill self confidence for them to make the right health decisions. However, in facing the 21st century, the challenge is not just to measure how much medical information people have, but also being able to measure cultural knowledge and how to use this knowledge to reach out effectively to patients through health promotion. By measuring people’s cultural knowledge on diabetes accurately, researchers can learn how to improve treatment and increase health literacy in general throughout Asia.
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Social capital and the learning organization: Transformation in Malaysian public sector
Author(s): Wan Idros Wan Sulaiman, Maizatul Haizan Mahbob and Shahrul Nazmi Sannusipp.: 208–219 (12)More LessDepartment of Information of Malaysia is one of the public organizations directly involved in the provision of information to the public. To ensure that all services rendered acceptable, organizational communication in the Department of Information should be given serious consideration so that each activity can be transformed properly. Therefore, this study was undertaken to assess organizational communication in a learning organization in order to see the extent to which employees have a description of social capital and support to the organization of learning activities. The main purpose of this study is to examine the relationship that is formed through the social interactions between workers and management by integrating the four aspects of social capital, namely social trust, institutional trust, social norms and networking. For this purpose, a total of 190 respondents from the Information Department headquarters staff in Putrajaya was selected for this study. The study uses questionnaires as research tool and analyses key findings using the Pearson correlation test to examine relationships between various aspects. The study also applied social capital theory as the basis of research framework the when analyzing findings. The results showed that staff describe positive social capital within the organization and consider organizational learning as a strategy to improve the performance of the department in the future.
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Social media and the arab spring: Dissemination of information among Malaysians
pp.: 220–230 (11)More LessThe year 2010 has seen the rise of West Asia with the Arab Spring phenomena. The event has triggered the solidarity of at least 8 countries in the region of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and has seen the ousting of Hosni Mubarak’s regime. Malaysia is emotionally attached to Egypt through religion, economy and education which has led Malaysians to track the event. In the meantime, the media is seen as the catalyst towards the rise of the people there. The democratic system depends very much on free, accurate and responsible flow of credible information. The flow of information has brought huge changes in the communications aspect. This article will discuss about the impact of social media as the main source of information channel among Malaysians during the massive uprise in Egypt.
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Malaysia’s contemporary broadcast media regulation through the eyes of regulators
Author(s): Chang Peng Kee, Kho Suet Nie, Rudiger Korff and Sascha Helbardtpp.: 231–242 (12)More LessThis paper aims to gauge the perception of media regulators in Malaysia on the contemporary media landscape and regulation processes in Malaysia, specifically focusing on the broadcast media. The researchers aims to understand the regulation procedures conducted, the steps taken to resolve conflicts of regulation if any and also the regulators perceptions on freedom of speech, self regulation and media governance. This study employed the qualitative method of in-depth interviews with five regulators from three different regulatory bodies, namely the Ministry of Home Affairs, Malaysia Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and Communication and Multimedia Content Forum (CMCF). The interviews proved that contrary to the common belief, the public sphere in Malaysia has a strong influence on the regulators as all regulatory bodies act upon public complaints. The study also showed that there are formal and informal procedures and conflict resolution strategies applied on case-to-case basis. The regulators painted a positive picture of good relationship with the broadcast media with much communication between the two entities. They agreed that the current media law in Malaysia is sufficient, albeit a need to improve the standard operating procedures. They also believe in shared responsibility with the industry rather than self regulation.
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Control and freedom of the Internet: Challenges faced by the government
Author(s): Muhammad Adnan Bin Pitchan, Wan Amizah Wan Mahmud, Shahrul Nazmi Sannusi and Ali Salmanpp.: 243–252 (10)More LessThe Internet has become a popular medium now because it provides many benefits to users, though at the same time it also carries negative effects, especially to developing countries, such as sedition, pornography, defamation and cyber crime. Therefore, this study focuses on the control and freedom of the Internet system and the challenges faced by the government. The main focus of this paper is to see whether the government face challenges in controlling the content of the Internet. This study uses two theories, namely the theory of media development and media dependency theory as a guideline for the study. Qualitative approach such as in-depth interviews were chosen as research methodology to obtain the qualitative data. The study found that there are several challenges faced by the government in controlling the misuse of Internet, such as Internet domain registration, difficulties in identifying suspects, false registration, development of technology and content monitoring aspects.
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The acceptance of government transformation program (GTP) among urban and rural communities
Author(s): Maizatul Haizan Mahbob, Noorazwa Rahmat and Wan Idros Wan Sulaimanpp.: 253–266 (14)More LessGovernment Transformation Program (GTP) is a social innovation program aimed to transform Malaysian public services, and social affairs, such as improving integrity of public servants, national security, education, public transport, rural development and the cost of living in order to increase social wellbeing. The objectives of this study are to identify the differences in the acceptance of social innovation, particularly GTP and to examine factors influencing the acceptance among urban and rural communities. Through this comparison, the government can focus its GTP advocacy in urban and rural areas based on the factors that have been identified. This research used a survey of 200 people around Kuala Lumpur and one of the FELDA settlements in Kulai, Johor. Data were analyzed using multiple regression analysis. In terms of acceptance level, the study found that rural communities are more receptive to GTP compared to urban communities. Factors influencing the acceptance of GTP among these two communities are also different. For the urban communities, the influencing factors are usefulness and self efficacy, while among the rural communities, are compatibility, familiarity and self-efficacy.
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The transformational reading of Gen Y on British greatness through historical documentary
Author(s): Mohd. Nor Shahizan Ali, Mat Pauzi Abd. Rahman, Ali Salman and Mohd. Azul Mohammad Sallehpp.: 267–278 (12)More LessYouth generation in this century (Gen Y) as a whole are exposed to technological developments, particularly in the process of getting information. As a result, any information that comes to them will be interpreted widely and critically. Recently, a documentary aired regularly shaped history back to the audience (especially Gen Y) to express the spirit of patriotism to the country. The question here involves the interpretation by the youth (Gen Y) which is more focused on the implicit meaning of the historical documentary ‘The Kinta Story’ (1949) produced by the National Film of Malaysia (FINAS). This article analyzes the interpretation of Gen Y based on understanding of the cognitive and aesthetic elements of the historical documentary. A focus group discussion was conducted on seven informants. The discussion focuses on the propaganda aspect, the aspect of British greatness and the overall interpretation of the historical documentary narrative as a message. From the results, the Gen Y informants interpreted the colonialists of British Malaya as having personal interests to reap the economic resources and make communist as a cause to justify their relevance in Malaya. The results also showed that the transformation of social technologies and the impact of extensive and open information have influenced the interpretation (read: reading) of Gen Y.
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“Gossip makes us one”: A qualitative analysis of the role of gossip in the process of Taiwanese immigrants’ social integration in Canada
Author(s): Pei Hua Lupp.: 279–304 (26)More LessIntergroup marriage has been widely used as an indicator to predict the social integration of immigrants. The assumption is that higher rates of intergroup marriage represent more harmonious outcome of an integrated society. As compared to the U.S., first and 1.5 generation immigrants in Canada have been found to be less likely to intermarry, and their cultural preference of a spouse of the same race/ethnicity has been argued to be the key factor. However, the process of how these immigrants’ cultural preference is maintained in a multicultural context requires exploration. This study elaborates on the role of gossip in the process of the maintaining of ethnic boundaries among recent immigrants using the case of Taiwanese immigrants in Canada. With an examination of their attitudes toward intergroup marriage, the results of the role of gossip indicate, 1) the seemingly impermeable ethnic boundaries established by recent immigrants can be challenged and modified through gossip, and 2) gossip makes the process of integration possible along both horizontal (i.e., coethnic peer of the same cohort) and vertical (i.e., parents to children and vice versa) axis within the same race/ethnic group of immigrants.
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Consumers’ attitudes toward advertising by traditional Chinese medicine practitioners
Author(s): Kara Chan, Lennon Tsang and Yanni Mapp.: 305–322 (18)More LessThis study investigated consumers’ attitudes toward advertising by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioners, and how attitudes varied among different demographic groups and user experiences in TCM. A survey using quota sampling was conducted. Altogether 1,039 adults aged 20 or above in Hong Kong filled in an online questionnaire in March 2014. Factor analysis found that attitudes toward TCM advertising consisted of four underlying dimensions: information value of TCM advertising; benefits of TCM advertising; confidence in financial aspects of TCM; and doubts about TCM advertising. Consumers’ attitudes toward TCM practitioners were in general favorable. Respondents appreciated information value of TCM advertising, but held some skepticism and worries about it. Respondents perceived strongly that advertising by medical professionals would lead to increase in the cost of services. Respondents with TCM consultation experience demonstrated a more positive attitude toward TCM advertising than respondents without TCM experience. Practical implications and limitations were discussed. (149 words)
Volumes & issues
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Volume 34 (2024)
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Volume 33 (2023)
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Volume 32 (2022)
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Volume 31 (2021)
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Volume 30 (2020)
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Volume 29 (2019)
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Volume 28 (2018)
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Volume 27 (2017)
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Volume 26 (2016)
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Volume 25 (2015)
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Volume 24 (2014)
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Volume 23 (2013)
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Volume 22 (2012)
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Volume 21 (2011)
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Volume 20 (2010)
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Volume 19 (2009)
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Volume 18 (2008)
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Volume 17 (2007)
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Volume 16 (2006)
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Volume 15 (2005)
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Volume 14 (2004)
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Volume 13 (2003)
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Volume 12 (2002)
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Volume 11 (2001)
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Volume 10 (2000)
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