OFFSTONE JUNE EDITION 2025

i CHIEF EDITOR’S NOTE Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh and warm greetings, We are pleased to present the June 2025 edition of Offstone: Contemporary Communication Gazette, an academic e-magazine produced by the Faculty of Leadership and Management, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM). This issue carries the overarching theme Communication Crisis in the Digital Era , a timely and pressing topic that resonates across media landscapes, cultural boundaries, and ideological terrains. This edition features eight articles in Bahasa Melayu and nine in English, offering a rich multilingual platform that reflects the diversity and inclusiveness of the USIM scholarly community. The articles presented explore various dimensions of communication breakdowns, misinformation, digital dissonance, media ethics, and crisis framing from both conventional and Islamic perspectives. In light of the rapid evolution of communication technologies and the rise of information disorder, this edition calls for a critical rethinking of how communication is practiced, interpreted, and governed, especially within Muslim societies. Contributors include academicians, student researchers, and media practitioners who offer theoretical reflections, empirical findings, and personal insights into the challenges and responsibilities faced by communicators today. As editors, we believe this edition will spark meaningful discourse and further academic engagement on how communication, when misused or neglected, can escalate into crises that undermine trust, truth, and social harmony. At the same time, we highlight the potential of Islamic communication ethics to offer balanced, principled, and restorative alternatives to modern communication dilemmas. We express our sincere appreciation to all writers, reviewers, and production team members whose commitment made this publication possible. May Offstone continue to serve as a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange, critical thought, and the advancement of Islamic communication scholarship. Wassalam. Dr. Siti Suriani Othman Chief Editor