Mohammed Fadel Arandas is an Assistant Professor and Leading Researcher in the Department of Journalism and Communication Studies at Southern University College, Malaysia, specializing in high-impact areas such as public relations, crisis communication, digital media, digital learning, political communication, and media framing. His research portfolio includes multiple top-tier peer-reviewed publications indexed in Scopus and Web of Science (WoS). He also serves as an active reviewer for international academic journals. He is a Certified UNDP Trainer in National Training Plan Development. He is also a member of professional bodies such as NAMLE, INEE, ASCS, MACE, EARMA, and QRAM, and a recipient of several academic honours and awards. Dr. Arandas actively contributes to ongoing international research collaborations and welcomes new opportunities for joint research projects and grants.
EDUCATION
Doctor of Philosophy (Communication) (PhD) (UKM),
Master of Human Sciences in Communication (M.HSc.) (IIUM),
Certificate in English Proficiency (IIUM),
Bachelor's Degree in Media (BA) (Al-Aqsa).
RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS
Communication, Strategy and Management
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Scopus Publications
Scopus Publications
Integrating robot journalism into newsrooms: perspectives, opportunities, and challenges among Egyptian journalists Abdelmohsen Hamed Okela, Mohammed Fadel Arandas, Samuel Danso, Abdulkrim Ziani, Sami Kasmi, et al. Frontiers in Communication, 2026 This study explored how Egyptian journalists perceive the opportunities and challenges of robot journalism and its effect on newsroom operations. Guided by Roger Fidler’s Mediamorphosis Theory and in-depth interviews with journalists, the study reveals that artificial intelligence improves efficiency, data processing and investigative reporting. The participants cited ethical responsibility, employment stability, and cultural appropriateness as areas of concern. The findings highlight how Egyptian reporters are seeking a moderate solution and automation, which does not compromise professional judgment or public confidence. The study reveals that the adoption of robot journalism needs to be done responsibly and contextually to facilitate innovation in Egypt’s rapidly evolving media landscape.
The influence of online distance learning and digital skills on digital literacy among university students post Covid-19 Mohammed Fadel Arandas, Ali Salman, Syed Arabi Idid, Yoke Ling Loh, Syaira Nazir, et al. Journal of Media Literacy Education, 2024 Online distance learning policies were formulated and implemented among some Malaysian universities long ago, but their value emerged since COVID-19. Emanating from the diffusion of innovation theory, this study examined the perception of higher education students on the influence and relationship between six independent variables (compatibility, observability, relative advantage, complexity, trialability, and digital skills) and one dependent variable (digital literacy). A total of 524 respondents were sampled, comprising students from six public and private Malaysian universities. The findings from the correlation analysis show a significant positive relationship between the six independent variables and the dependent variable. Meanwhile, in the regression analysis, three of the independent variables (observability, trialability, and digital skill) have a significant and positive effect on digital literacy. This study placed the diffusion of innovation in a specific context that supports designing online distance learning and digital literacy policies.
Indonesian crisis communication response after deliberate forest fires and transboundary haze Mohammed Fadel Arandas, Loh Yoke Ling, and Jurnal Komunikasi Malaysian Journal of Communication, 2020 The issue of deliberate forest fires that set illegally in Indonesia by plantation companies in their slash-and-burn forests to clear lands for lucrative palm oil plantations and its caused transboundary haze became a hot issue for discussion. These fires have a negative influence on Indonesia and its neighbourhood countries, especially on their financial and human resources such as environment, economy, properties, and people. Using the right strategies in responding to any crisis determines the success of its management and coping with that crisis with minimal losses. This study aimed to examine the communication crisis response by Indonesia to this crisis by using image repair theory. Also, this study examined how image repair strategies were used by Indonesia. This study analysed the content of news stories from the website of the New Straits Times newspaper. The time frame of this study was from 2015 to 2019. A total of 87 news stories have pertained to Indonesian response, and 37 stories included image repair strategies. Among the strategies of image repair theory, corrective action strategy was the most dominant with 70%, followed by 10.8% for each shift the blame and attack accuser. The least used strategies were mortification and simple denial with 5.4% and 2.7% respectively. Keywords: Indonesia, crisis communication, image repair, transboundary haze, deliberate fires.
Framing the first palestinian general elections by malaysia’s new straits times Mohammed Fadel Arandas, Chang Peng Kee, Emma Mohamad, Syed Arabi Idid, and Jurnal Komunikasi Malaysian Journal of Communication, 2019 The main focus of this study is the coverage of New Straits Times (NST) of the first Palestinian General Elections for two presidential candidates namely, Yasser Arafat and Samiha Khalil. This study aimed to explore if any of Entman’s 1993 framing functions was used in the coverage of this issue and to explore whether the tone of NST coverage was negative, positive, balanced or neutral. Toachieve the aims of this study, qualitative content analysis of elections stories from NST has been adopted. The number of news stories was eight, and the time frame started from 19th January to 13th February 1996, where three of these stories were published on the same day of 22nd January,two days after holding the elections on 20th January. Defining problems and diagnosing causes werethe most prominent of Entman’s four framing functions presented in all the articles. The moral judgment function was included in four news stories, and suggesting remedies was included in two news stories out of eight. The findings revealed that Yasser Arafat received 50% balanced coverage, followed by 37.5% positive coverage, and only 12.5% negative coverage, while Samiha Khalilreceived 67% balanced coverage, compared to 33% positive coverage.
Professional values, ethics, and professionalism of public relations practitioners Syed Arabi Idid, Mohammed Fadel Arandas, and Jurnal Komunikasi Malaysian Journal of Communication, 2016 This study explores the influence of education, length of service, professionalism, and ethics on the professional values of public relations practitioners in Malaysia. A total of 427 questionnaires were distributed to public relations practitioners in Malaysia, and 322 questionnaires were returned. The study included 61% female respondents, and 39% male respondents. The study analyzed and identified the influence of professionalism and ethics on professional values of public relations practitioners. Additionally, the study examined whether education and experience influence professional values through professionalism, and code of ethics. Six hypotheses were tested to answer the research questions. The results from this study fully supported the hypotheses indicating that professionalism and ethics had an influence on professional values of public relations practitioners. The results also showed that education influenced both professionalism and ethics, and length of service influenced both professionalism and ethical practice.
INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE
Media and Communication Trainer
Public Relations Officer
Project Coordinator
