Behaviors and Patterns of TV News Viewing in Malaysia During and After Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

AbstractThe demise of Television (TV) news before Covid-19 has been an attention when people have shifted to online platforms for online news. Covid-19 Pandemic has changed the demand for TV news. The media landscape in Malaysia has then been reengineered by the impact of it. Driven by the theory of Fear Appeal in the information searching about Covid-19 during Malaysian Movement Control Order (MCO), TV news viewing has increased. This research aims to study the behaviors and patterns of TV news consumption during Covid-19 Pandemic in Malaysia. It is also to study the significance of TV news to Malaysians during the Pandemic. This research targets to ascertain the change of trend in TV news viewing behaviors and patterns among Malaysians during and after the Pandemic. In-depth interviews are conducted with 10 interviewees from Northern, Central and Southern Sarawak, the largest state in Malaysia. Purposive sampling is applied where the interviewees are from the background of media practitioners, educators, and undergraduates. The interviews are conducted from end March to early April 2023. Written consent has been obtained and ethical clearance is gotten. It is found that the TV news viewing behaviors and patterns have changed starting from MCO. It is corresponding to the various statistics reviewed and to the theory of Fear Appeal in the updates of Covid-19. After MCO, Malaysians expect various contents, presentations, and promotional activities that can engage the audiences. It is also to cope and compete with the digitalization in the new phase of challenge.