KUALA LUMPUR: Tharanya Arumugam, the New Straits Times' digital editor, has been awarded the prestigious global scholarship for the Centre for Media Pluralism and Media Freedom (CMPF) Summer School for Journalists and Media Practitioners 2024 in Italy.
The programme, organised by the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies at the European University Institute (EUI), will take place in July in Florence, and is co-funded by the European Union.
The theme of this year's edition is "How is Artificial Intelligence Reshaping Journalism?"
Participants will explore various facets of AI's impact on journalism, including AI practices within journalism, the safety of journalists, media business transformation, EU regulatory frameworks, and the ethics of AI in journalism.
"Tharanya's application stood out among a large number of competitive applications, and CMPF is confident that she will benefit greatly from this," said the organisation, underscoring her exceptional calibre among her peers.
Tharanya said: "I'm honoured to receive this scholarship. This opportunity to engage with global peers and experts at the CMPF will allow me to bring back valuable insights and innovative practices to the New Straits Times. It will help us further enhance our digital strategy and journalistic excellence.
"My team and I have been actively pursuing new frontiers in journalism, especially in integrating generative AI into our newsroom practices.
"Journalism is at a pivotal point where technology can either enhance our capabilities or challenge our ethics. I am eager to delve into these discussions and contribute to shaping the future of our profession," she added.
The EUI, founded in 1972, is the leading institute in Europe dedicated to social sciences and humanities.
CMPF is a research and training centre that aims to develop innovative and relevant lines of research on media freedom and pluralism in Europe and beyond, and to provide knowledge support to the international, European and national policy and rule making processes.
Tharanya is no stranger to accolades. With over a decade of experience in analytic and explanatory journalism, she has specialised in long-form reporting, mainly covering health, climate and education.
Her insightful work has not only informed the public but also influenced policy decisions, earning her numerous awards, including the Malaysian Press Institute awards in 2015 and the National Press Club Young Journalist of the Year award in 2014 presented by the Prime Minister of Malaysia.
At the New Straits Times, Tharanya spearheads a dynamic team of 12. Her innovative approach to digital strategy has significantly boosted the outlet's video content and integrated generative AI, leading to remarkable growth in page views and increase in subscribers across NST social media channels.
Additionally, she developed a comprehensive Social Media 101 training course, further showcasing her commitment to enhancing journalistic practices.
She holds a Bachelor of Journalism from the University of South Australia and an MSc in International Relations from the University of Bristol, where she graduated with distinction as a Chevening Scholar.
Tharanya was awarded the United Nations Reham al-Farra Journalism Memorial Fellowship in 2022 and 2023 in New York, an opportunity that allowed her to gain deeper insights into UN work and cover the UN General Assembly.
Her recent achievements extend beyond this. In April, she was selected for the Digital Deep Dive programme by Oxford University-Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism.
In March, she was one of eight Malaysian women felicitated by the Indian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur for her excellence in journalism during a ceremony commemorating International Women's Day.