By Nadhira Maizam
GOMBAK, 16 March 2019 – IIUMToday, the online news publication team of the university, has organised another series of news training session coached by the news anchor, producer, and news editor of TV Alhijrah, Mr. Ardi Herman Mohd Mardzi.
The event was held on Friday (15 March) at ADM LT1, attended by Communication students and lecturers from SEGi University and College (SEGi), University Teknologi MARA (UiTM), and IIUM.
The news training aimed to grind and sharpen the journalistic skills in students when writing news and publishing feature articles. The students therefore were also taught the rudimentary skills to enquire about any relevant information particularly during press conferences.
“You have to choose the strongest angle when drafting questions on certain topics. The answers obtained should serve what citizens want to know. On the other hand, selection of the angle shall then reflect the opinions of the community.”
Mr. Ardi Herman reminded the participants to always implement the Five Ws and How (5W1H) technique in gathering information for the news presentation or writing. Each question should address the interest of the public and amplify the voice of unheard. They do not only receive the truth, but they have to deliver the truth.”
“You have to ask good questions. It needs to cover all branches of the issue. Journalists should also take the opportunity to ask related questions concerning other current issues if the authority in seat at the press conference could provide the answers needed.”
“As a journalist, you have to be on the ground. You need to understand what you are doing and what you have to interview in order to drill and dig up information as much as possible before you could share the information with the public,” Mr. Ardi Herman said to emphasise the responsibility of journalists in carrying reliable information to the public.
“Journalism is a noble profession and journalists are the persons who will receive first-hand information. They do not only receive the truth, but they have to deliver the truth.”
A mock press conference was conducted on the issue and incident of toxic waste in Pasir Gudang, Johor, that saw an active interaction between Mr. Ardi Herman and the students with questions posed to the speakers by participants replicating the scenario currently taking place in the country.
Apart from that, senior journalist of IIUMToday, Najmi Syahiran Mamat took the opportunity to share the in-house style for IIUMToday’s digital publication with all participants. He presented the technicality part of news writing and feature writing.
The event successfully opened the mind of future journalists to build strong professionalism and character in playing a responsible role as media practitioners.
All sessions assisted students to assemble important materials needed in journalism. Participants also enjoyed and benefited from the training.
The event was also graced by the presence of the advisor of IIUMToday, Dr. Wan Norshira Wan Mohd Ghazali and the editor of IIUMToday, Mr. Aznan Mat Piah. ***