The Development of the Newspaper and Magazine Press in Johor, 1919–1957

Abstract

This study examines the development of newspaper and magazine publishing activities in the state of Johor prior to independence. The modernisation process undertaken by the Johor administration successfully transformed Johor into a modern and progressive Malay state by the end of the nineteenth century. Nevertheless, Johor lagged behind other Malay states in the field of newspaper and magazine publishing. While newspapers and magazines had already been actively published in other Malay states, Johor’s first magazine only appeared in 1919. Despite this late beginning, newspaper and magazine publishing activities in Johor expanded rapidly during the pre-independence period and eventually surpassed those of other Malay states. Accordingly, this study examines the factors that contributed to the delayed emergence and subsequent rapid development of newspaper and magazine publishing activities in Johor. Employing a historical research methodology, this study applies library-based and qualitative approaches through the examination and analysis of primary and secondary sources obtained from libraries, the National Archives of Malaysia, and Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka. The findings indicate that Johor’s proximity to Singapore, together with the modernisation initiatives implemented by the Johor administration, significantly stimulated the growth of newspaper and magazine publishing activities in the state prior to independence.

Keywords: Newspapers, Malay journalism, magazines, modernisation, printing, journalism.