Emergence of alternative media

The citizen of Malaysia have no where to turn to but to the internet as alternative media where they can get true coverage on a story without censorship or restriction. The internet has been hailed as the most practical alternative source of information not accessible in the mainstream media. Many blogs and online news websites such as Malaysiakini.com has surfaced to inform the public on what was shadowed in the past. The site was created by a group of journalists who are unhappy with bias in news coverage. Their objective is to test and push the boundaries of press freedom. The site is visited by 100,000 visitors daily, which puts it in the same league as major newspapers in the country.










There are three main reasons for the success of the internet. First, is the government policy – to promote the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) whereby the government has pledged not to censor the internet. And to its credit, the government has kept its words. Secondly, the rise in political consciousness among Malaysians. A growing number of Malaysians are keener in democracy, human rights and good governance. And finally, the loss of credibility among the traditional media due to press self-censorship. Therefore, the readers turn to the internet for alternative sources of news. (Gan, S 2002).


Reference:

Gan, S 2002, Virtual democracy in Malaysia: Putting press freedom in the front burner, Nieman Reports, Vol. 58, No. 2, pp. 65-67, viewed 21 October 2008,
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