THE ROLE OF STATE AND NEWSPAPER IN CONSERVATION OF HISTORICAL SITE: THE CASE OF PENANG

Abstract

Print media plays a significant role in information dissemination and could raising awareness among the public on certain particular issue arises. In fact, through the portrayal of text and image thus, it has a great ability to influence on the minds of the reader. Studies on cultural heritage conservation using communication approach are still rare in this country. The paper aims to investigate on the issue of preservation of Malay-Islamic cultural heritage vis a vis historic buildings in the Penang State of Malaysia. In addition, the paper will focus on the areas encompasses of inside as well as outside of George Town. George Town has been recognized as World Heritage Site by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on July 2008, along with Melaka. Since the recognition, the issue of conservation becomes an important agenda especially for the state government to maintain its status, which of course in line with standards set by the UNESCO. This paper used the content analysis by utilizing the local daily newspaper of the Berita Harian (BH) from year 2011 to 2015 (approximately 5 years) and also from the previous literature. Based on the findings, it is obvious to state that there is indeed an issue was highlighted and it seems that it needs to be taken seriously and dealt with promptly. Thus, besides state government, all parties must take responsibility to ensure that the valuable heritage found in the state does not extinct by the modernization.