EVER so often, a Barisan Nasional politician will call on the government to ban Facebook or impose stricter controls on the Internet. How much of an assurance, then, is the Multimedia Super Corridor’s Bill of Guarantees against Internet censorship?
media
Is the online media lopsided?
By Ding Jo-Ann
THE online media in Malaysia continues to be attacked, monitored and threatened purportedly because of its pro-opposition, anti-government stance. But is the online media’s reporting as biased and lopsided as the BN and its allies make it out to be?
Perception vs reality: Who’s telling the truth?
Shape of a Pocket by Jacqueline Ann Surin
WHEN Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi declared that the new media was negatively spinning issues about the government, perhaps he was referring to examples such as this YouTube video by nasilemak2020. I’m certain the Umno vice-president, who is also defence minister, also had other examples in mind when he called on Umno cybertroopers to […]
Uncommon Sense with Wong Chin Huat: Government and the media
By Ding Jo-Ann
*Corrected on 31 May 2011, 10.30am: This was earlier published as “partly free”. THE Barisan Nasional (BN) government is hardly an exemplary proponent of press freedom. Its wide ownership and control of much of the Malaysian press probably contributed to Malaysia’s “not free”* rating in a recent survey by Freedom House, a global press watchdog. […]
Reporting on GTP: Why all good news?
By Ding Jo-Ann
*Updated 4 April 2011 GOOD journalism involves asking the right questions. Asking who, what, when, where, why and how is part and parcel of any journalist’s toolkit. But how effectively did the traditional* print media apply these tools when reporting on the recent Government Transformation Programme (GTP) first year celebrations? Were there some questions, perhaps, […]
Where’s the national health scheme?
By Koh Lay ChinMore than two decades have passed and the National Health Financing Scheme still seems up in the air in terms of concept and implementation. Will it be a flat-rate or not? Will it take a year or ten? Despite continuous studies on the proposed scheme, is Malaysia anywhere closer to a health financing scheme which is affordable, fair and accessible to all levels of society?
Najib’s call to the media
By Shanon ShahIs Najib serious? (pic courtesy of theSun) “BUT to shape society’s knowledge, so that we are more intellectual, critical, and can think objectively, this is also the role of the press. You can’t report only stories that are sensational, hot or about conflicts only.” These were Umno president and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak‘s […]
Samy Vellu’s exit plans
By Deborah Loh“I will not leave the party like a fool but I swear I will destroy the people who tried to destroy the party.” MIC president Datuk Seri S Samy Vellu, when announcing that he would step down from his presidency in late 2011, eight to nine months before his term ends in May 2012. Two […]
A liberal and creative Malaysia?
By Deborah Loh“[‘Push factors’] in some countries of origin have also unfortunately played a part, including a lack of intellectual liberties and fair economic opportunities. “To reverse the brain drain into a brain gain, we need to create the right liberal ecosystem and to stimulate creativity. There should also be a fair ecosystem to reward and encourage […]
Who supports Perkasa?
By Deborah Loh“It is necessary for the government to delay any allocation and approval of projects for the community. They show no appreciation to BN government’s efforts, even though the BN government had to hurt the feelings of the Malay [Malaysian] and the natives.” “All their demands are fulfilled by the government but they do not know […]
