MUZIK DAN PEMBANGUNAN SOSIAL: PAPARAN DASAR INDUSTRI HIBURAN DALAM AKAHBARAKHBAR DI MALAYSIA

Music is a versatile element in life. Because of that, the meaning and function of music is different. One of the basic function of music is entertainment. This function has placed music as one of the dominant mass cultural fields. This is due to the fact that the melody of music contains various messages in the lyrics. The combination of both melody and lyrics can put music as a powerful communication aspect in human life. There are those who see music as a cultural heritage of nation that is able to describe the image of cultural and civilization. There are also those who view music as one of the economic activity that can develop a nation’s industrial and social development. Music industry in Malaysia exist in both areas. But, how far is the public aware about this situation? To what extent are the media giving attention to the application of music in the form of public policy that can effect its users? In other words, how far do the newspapers in Malaysia give attentions towards issues of the music industry? Looking from the perspective of policy issues that are related to the music industry, this paper explores the portrayal of entertainment industry’s policy by the newspapers through a content analysis study. The newspapers were choosen randomly from three main languages in Peninsular Malaysia. The data were analyzed quantitatively to see the coverage of news on music industries and relevant policy implications. This study found that the newspapers reviewed gave minimal attention to the aspect of policy which is related to the music industry in Malaysia.