Establishing Malaysian press freedom framework for social journalist

Social journalism has emerged as a novel phenomenon in the field of journalism, raising questions about the credibility of those practicing it. With various mediums at their disposal, social journalists face scrutiny regarding their understanding of press freedom, particularly within the context of Malaysia. This research aims to delve deeper into how social journalists conceptualize press freedom, identify the factors influencing and controlling of press freedom in social journalism, and ultimately propose a suitable framework of press freedom in social journalism. Through a qualitative research approach, this study has picked snowball sampling where eight social journalists from various background operating in Malaysia was interviewed to gain insights of their perspectives on press freedom. Semi-structured interviews is employed to gather data and analyse the findings by using thematic analysis in NVivo 12. Based on the findings, a framework of press freedom in social journalism is proposed. This framework suggests the need for a balanced approach that takes into account ethical considerations, professional standards, and legal frameworks while allowing for independent and critical journalism. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the conceptualization of press freedom by social journalists, shedding light on the factors influencing their understanding and identifying the controlling factors that shape press freedom in their work. The proposed framework of press freedom aims to guide social journalists in navigating the complex landscape they operate in, while maintaining their credibility as trusted sources of information