PROSPECTUS
MALAYSIAKINI INTERNSHIP PROGRAM Together, towards a better Malaysia through Independent Media
OBJECTIVE The Malaysiakini Internship Program (MIP) is aimed at attracting blossoming talent from all over the country in an effort to engage young minds in order to help Malaysia’s first independent media flourish and forge ahead in a new direction as the number 1 news portal for the young. It is our firm belief that the future of the nation lies in the hands of the young. It is our intentions to hand the baton over to the future generation in order to determine the future of independent media. In order to carry out our intentions, we need to build a strong affiliation with the young through the Malaysiakini’s Internship Program. We make it our responsibility to create and design projects suited for Interns to independently and collectively make a contribution towards the growth and betterment of our organisation. Our fertile learning ground will expose young talents to the organisational workings of independent media. While we make it our responsibility to ensure the highly structured learning and development of our interns, there is much room for dialogue, exchange of ideas, innovation, room for mistakes and finally a exposure to a unique organisational culture
We encourage those who are especially attracted to non-linear thinking, innovation, creativity and execution to join our team. We encourage those who have a passion for learning, challenges and are unafraid to drive ideas. We welcome greatly those who are purpose-driven and have the mission to make a contribution to the betterment of Malaysia through the media. The Malaysiakini Internship Program aims to fully integrate and offer job prospects to interns who we find would fit into the organisation’s mission and culture. While not all interns will make the cut, we will ensure that the learning experience gained from the exposure to Malaysiakini will cut the interns out to be more progressive thinker and people of purposeful action. For those interested in joining our internship program, may send in a short 2-minute video to internship@malaysiakini.com answering the following: My greatest desire My greatest fear One life-changing experience Why Malaysiakini Your take on Malaysian politics
WHO IS
MALAYSIAKINI ? Launched in 1999, Malaysiakini believes that independent media is critical to a country’s progress. Independent media inform citizens of current affairs, helping them hold the government of the day accountabe through citizen action, participation and voting decisions. Without a vigilant media, those in power are tempted to use their financial powers to bribe the influential and their policing authority to limit dissent. Acting in the interest of a few, such actions lead to disunity of the nation and decay of society. In Malaysia, traditional print and broadcast media are tightly regulated and controlled by the government. Media operations are closely monitored and owners encouraged to toe the line on matters of political interest. However, the online media has to date not subject to the same licensing, and allowing more diversity on the Internet. Nevertheless, Internet media is subject to laws that restrict freedom of speech, such as the Official Secrets Act and the Sedition Act, as well as civil action such as defamation.
Malaysiakini is now published in four languages – English, Malay, Chinese and Tamil – reaching over 9 million readers every month with independent coverage of political and current affairs. We achieve this independence by allowing editors and journalists the full freedom to practise professional and ethical journalism, without interference of the shareholders, advertisers or government. We believe that past and present journalist will vouch for the independence of the newsroom from external influences. Editorial independence is the fruit of financial independence. By paying for content, news readers help maintain the focus on quality news. It is a small investment towards an informed society, as well as an accountable government. Find out more about our finances and how you can contribute. We have also benefitted from donors who share our vision of a free press. Malaysiakini is co-founded by Premesh Chandran (CEO) and Steven Gan (EIC) since its inception in 1999.
AREAS FOR INTERNSHIP AT MALAYSIAKINI OPERATIONS Human Resources
Copywriting
Accounting
Programming
Business Development
Social Media Curating
Marketing
Subscription
Advertising
Customer Service
Creative Design
EDITORIAL Journalism Data Journalism Graphic Design
Photography Videography
INTERNSHIP AGREEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES
Organisation: It is the responsibility of Malaysiakini to provide direct on-the-job supervision of the student intern that includes the following: 1. Orienting the student intern to the company’s structure and operation.
Student Intern: As a student intern enters Malaysiakini, he or she is expected to assume, as much as possible, the role of a regular staff member. The responsibilities include: 1. Adhering to company work hours, policies, procedures and rules governing professional staff behaviour. 2. Adhering to company policies governing the observation of confidentiality and the handling of confidential information. 3. Assuming personal and professional responsibility for his or her actions and activities. 4. Maintaining professional relationships with company employees, customers and so forth. 5. Utilizing a courteous, enthusiastic, open-minded, critical approach to policies and procedures within the profession. 6. Relating and applying key knowledge acquired in the academic setting to the company setting. 7. Developing a self-awareness in regard to attitudes, values, behaviour patterns and the culture that influence work.
2. Orienting the student intern to the company’s policies and procedures regarding appropriate dress, office hours, and applicable leave policies. 3. Introducing the student intern to the appropriate professional and clerical staff. 4. Providing the student intern with adequate resources necessary to accomplish job objectives. 5. Orienting the student to the policies and procedures of the respective departments. 6. Affording the student intern the opportunity to identify with the supervisor as a professional staff person by jointly participating in office interviews, meetings, conferences, projects, office and management functions. 7. Assigning and supervising the completion of tasks and responsibilities that are consistent with the student intern’s role in the company. 8. Consulting the faculty coordinator in the event that the supervisor becomes aware of personal, communication and other problems that are disrupting the student intern's learning and performance. 9. Providing regular supervisory meetings/ feedback sessions with the student intern.
8. Preparing for and utilizing conferences, workshops and other opportunities for learning within Malaysiakini. Being consistent and punctual in the submission of all work assignments to the supervisor and faculty coordinator.
10. Submitting and evaluation on the intern’s job performance.
9. Providing the faculty coordinator with periodic progress reports.
12. Completing Malaysiakini Intern/Organisation evaluation forms.
11. Submitting a job description for the student intern.
1. How well was the intern prepared for this internship? 2. Can you suggest instructional areas that could benefit the intern? What professional characteristics did you like most about the intern? 3. What professional characteristics did you think the intern lacked? Please provide examples where the intern applied good judgement.
INTERN ASSESSMENT
4. How would you rate the intern’s sense of responsibility towards his/her assignments? 5. Please provide some examples when the intern worked quickly and efficiently. 6. What are the intern’s strengths/weakness in oral and written communication? 7. What are the intern’s strengths and weaknesses when it comes to leadership skills? 8. In what areas does the intern need improvement? 9. Discuss areas where the intern has made significant improvement. Would you recommend this intern for future employment? Why or why not?
FEEDBACK IS THE BREAKFAST FOR
CHAMPIONS!!
1 Excellent
2 Above Average
3 Average
Characteristics Punctuality Willingness to learn
INTERN ASSESSMENT AREAS
Creativity (Problem solving) Ethical Behaviour Dependability Thoroughness (Attention to details) Teamwork Work speed Ability to supervise Interpersonal skills
In the spirit of transparency, we at Malaysiakini find it important to be upfront about our expectations of our student interns and that of ourselves as an organisation. We hereby openly disclose our evaluation forms both for student interns and Malaysiakini.
Communication skills (Oral) Communication skills (Written) Technical competencies Managerial potential Judgement Adaptable to variety of jobs Able to work independently Accepts responsibility Professionalism
1
4 Below Average 5 Poor 2
3
4
5
PROGRAM ASSESSMENT 1. Did you feel the work was a valuable experience in relation to your academic studies? 2. Were you given responsibilities that enable you to apply knowledge and skills? 3. Were you allowed to take the initiative to work beyond the basic requirements of the job? 4. Did the organisation and/or supervisor work with you regularly? Were they available to answer questions when necessary? 5. Briefly note new skills, techniques and knowledge gained in this position. 6. Discuss the weak points of your internship experience and ways they may be improved. 7. Discuss the strong points of your internship experience. 8. Is there anything that was not covered that should have been covered in the internship program? 9. Do you think your academic program adequately prepared you for this internship? 10. Would you recommend this internship to other student? Explain.
PROGRAM ASSESSMENT AREAS Student Interns will be required to use this form to evaluate their Internship experience with Malaysiakini.
1 Excellent
2 Above Average
3 Average
Characteristics Ability to teach Ability to supervise and mentor Willingness to provide guidance Relationship with other employees Courtesy/Respect Leadership skills Interpersonal skills Communication skills Technical competence Business competence
1
4 Below Average 5 Poor 2
3
4
5
THOSE YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE JOINING
Internships bridge the divide between the classroom and the workplace. The learning experiences - from dressing for work, taking instructions, meeting deadlines and delivering results, will shape your career and attitudes. We hope that Malaysiakini brings out the best in you.
Premesh Chandran
Steven Gan
Manohar
RK Anand
Ng Ling Fong
CEO
Editor in Chief
General Manager
Chief Editor
Deputy Chief Editor
Lynn D’Cruz
Nanthakumar
Internship Coordinator
Internship Mentor
INTERNSHIP GUARDIANS
@KINI YOUR HOME OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS
CONTACT US @KINI
No. 9, Jalan 51/205A, Off Jalan Tandang, 46050 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Phone +603 7770 0000 Email internship@malaysiakini.com SCAN TO WAZE