An Analysis on ASEAN Print Media Coverage: A Case Study on the phenomenon of strife between Malaysia and Indonesia
Dr. Siti Zabedah Mohd Shariff, Associate Profesor Hajah Amelia Abdul Aziz, Noraini Yusof, Baby Anusha Nur Mohamed Thaheer

Abstract
This study seeks to explore the news content on print media in Indonesia and Malaysia in relation to its news reporting regarding both countries in terms of bilateral relationship. The agenda of the news media has become a principal focus that seems to have leverage in affecting this bilateral relationship between both countries. The media is also seen as a medium that is often accused of focusing more on negative news and less on positive news. Thus the media has a role in intensifying and aggravating the resentment related to this entire phenomenon. Among the objectives of this research are to study the issues of news coverage made by the newspapers in Malaysia and Indonesia; to examine the influence of the cooperative environment in determining the form and genre of news reporting in both countries as well as to analyze the reflection of the news makers from both countries. The methodology used for the purpose of this research is qualitative content analysis involving four news print organizations: two in Malaysia which are the Star and BERNAMA while in Indonesia, the research concentrates on the KOMPAS and ANTARA. These four news organizations are mainstream media and relevant due to their influential role in providing insights and shaping the perception of the readers. The study is significant befitting the fact that Indonesia and Malaysia have love-hate relationships which unfortunately sometimes ignite fury among the people of both nations.

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