From Newspapers To Reels: How Malaysians Want Their News In 2026

TRP hit the streets during Hawana 2026 to find out whether Malaysians still trust traditional media in the age of TikTok, reels and viral news.

The way people consume news and information today is vastly different from what it was just a decade ago, with social media increasingly becoming the primary channel for both disseminating and absorbing information.

Gone are the days when breakfast stalls and kopitiams were filled with uncles and aunties flipping through newspapers while debating what had gone wrong with the world over a cup of coffee.

Instead, smartphones and tablets have become the public’s window to current affairs, offering a constant stream of updates from countless sources — often at a pace too fast for anyone to keep up with.

While the digital revolution has made information more accessible than ever, it has also blurred the line between verified reporting and viral content, posing fresh challenges for media organisations and audiences alike.

Nowadays, social media is awash with updates and claims that even established newsrooms have yet to report. Such is the power of these platforms that the court of public opinion often convenes long before the facts are fully established.

Understanding that audiences have evolved, media organisations too have adapted. After all, there is little point in producing news if no one is consuming it.

In conjunction with the National Journalists’ Day (Hawana) 2026 celebrations in Penang on Saturday, TRP took to the streets to ask ordinary Malaysians one simple question: how do they want their news served?

For 47-year-old real estate negotiator Wahidah Samsudin, who grew up with traditional media before the advent of social media, trust still lies with mainstream news organisations.

“There is still more confidence in mainstream media,” she said, although she acknowledged that “citizen journalists” have increasingly gained traction on issues that resonate with the public.

She pointed to the death of Zara Qairina Mahathir, where intense public interest saw many turning to social media personalities for updates.

“Not surprisingly, there was a lot of distorted information being circulated, which only created more confusion and raised more questions than answers.

“But perhaps traditional media can learn something too. Maybe storytelling and the way news is presented could better capture the audience’s attention. Professional journalists still know best how to present facts,” she said.

Wahidah added that even reports on disasters and tragedies could benefit from a more human approach.

“Sometimes presenting facts without empathy or without connecting with victims makes it harder for audiences to relate.”

Meanwhile, 17-year-old student Lakshman Shrestha prefers obtaining information through videos and short-form content.

“I guess it’s more pleasant to watch and listen than to read,” he said.

“Nowadays, even mainstream media present their stories through reels and short videos, so that’s where I get my information. But I do agree that reading helps a lot when it comes to more complicated topics.”

His media habits are hardly surprising in an era where algorithms are increasingly tailored to individual preferences.

Yet for Wai See Yuan, 33, who works in the education sector, newspapers still hold a special place.

“I may not be that old, and my generation uses social media a lot. But when it comes to news, I always return to traditional media.

“I trust professionals to provide ethical and balanced coverage. I believe that journalists do their due diligence before publishing anything. Mainstream media have a reputation and principles that they uphold,” he said.

As members of the media, all we can say is this: we hear you.

We are not here to be your voice.

But when your voices need to be heard, we will do our best to ensure they are amplified.