Changes in the air for Mainstream Media (MSM)?
For a long time, the mainstream media (MSM) organizations in Malaysia have been actively partaking in biased reporting, truth censorship and fear mongering on behalf of Barisan Nasional. Certain very well established English dailies helped Barisan Nasional paint the finishing brush strokes of racial, political and instability fear against the canvas of the recent elections. Many of them demonized the opposition politicians, while making the BN politicians sound like angels. Basically, the message by the MSM to Malaysians was “Vote for us, or else”. Well folks, I think we’re all still waiting for the “or else”. Anyone see any sign of it yet?
Anyway, I sure hope the March ‘08 elections woke up every last one of those folks who think that controlling the media is going to help them politically. It is the era of the Internet now, and if the MSM cannot report truthfully and fairly, then we shall vote with our feet. No more media lies. The truth is out there on the Net these days, and nobody can deny it to us Malaysians. Where? Think Malaysiakini and Malaysia Today. Think the many multitudes of Malaysian blogs and independent observers. Our eyes and ears are everywhere.
That’s probably the reason for today’s call by The Star for freedom of press. It has taken some time for the fact to sink in, but it appears that at least some of the MSM people are sitting up and taking notice. I quote,
The emergence of these channels of alternative media has effectively neutered the powers of governments to censor or limit information or freedom of expression.
While the writer still sounded a little reluctant to admit all of MSM’s faults (”maligned” meaning they were accused untruthfully),
In the past, the mainstream media, The Star included, was maligned for its scope of coverage.
he/she nevertheless understands the final outcome of its complacency.
With the intensifying competition, readers and viewers, who are armed with information as the true source of power, will determine the survival of any media. The simple message is this: Publish correctly or be damned.
Well, it’s about time. But it remains to be seen if The Star [or any other "news" organizations, for that matter] will grow some balls soon, or is it just doing another of Dollah’s “talk the the talk, pretend to walk.” The MSM need to understand that their getting our hard earned money is not a right, but just a simple business transaction. Supply and demand. The demand is not for bullshit, but for truth and quality reporting. And when the demand is not met, well, they can keep their supply of bullshit for themselves and wallow in it.
Update 1851hrs: Just caught my attention that in The Star’s news article on Raja Petra’s arrest, Pete himself from Malaysia Today has been ‘upgraded’ from just a blogger and is now recognized as “editor of news portal Malaysia Today”. Changes starting already?
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