{"id":3499,"date":"2013-01-16T17:53:10","date_gmt":"2013-01-16T09:53:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.therocket.com.my\/en\/?p=3499"},"modified":"2013-01-21T12:03:40","modified_gmt":"2013-01-21T04:03:40","slug":"why-the-mainstream-media-is-losing-out","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.therocket.com.my\/en\/why-the-mainstream-media-is-losing-out\/","title":{"rendered":"Why the mainstream media is losing out"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Chung Hosanna<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>\u201cPeople nowadays don\u2019t read anymore,\u201d has become newspaper vendors\u2019 constant complaint. Traditional media, especially historically popular mainstream newspapers, are suffering from declining circulation numbers as readers increasingly turn to internet and alternative media as news sources. Trends show that readers are abandoning the mainstream perceived as a tool of the ruling government, prone to censoring the truth and biased reporting.<\/p>\n

Figures from the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) show that during the period 2005 to 2009,\u00a0The Star\u2019<\/em>s circulation dropped from 310,000 to 287,000 (-7.4 per cent), the\u00a0New Straits Times<\/em>\u00a0<\/em>from 139,000 to 111,000 (-20 per cent),\u00a0Utusan Malaysia<\/em>\u00a0<\/em>from 213,000 to 169,000 (-21 per cent) and\u00a0Berita Harian<\/em>\u00a0<\/em>from 204,000 to 155,000 (-24 per cent).<\/p>\n

Sin Chew,<\/em>\u00a0<\/em>however, saw circulation rise from 324,000 to 382,000 (+18 per cent).<\/p>\n

Losing its appeal<\/strong><\/p>\n

Most newspapers have been reduced to party organ status, with MCA\u2019s clear cut 42.4 control of The Star, UMNO\u2019s 49.77 stake in Utusan, four main Chinese language dailies owned by former SUPP senator Tiong Thai King, and the various Tamil dailies being owned by MIC leaders.<\/p>\n

Economic ownership has direct bearing on the content and independence of the newspapers, with many editorial decisions being overruled by \u2018higher\u2019 political directives. Selective reportage with favourable coverage towards the ruling government is not a mere perception, but an actual directive by the Information Minister Rais Yatim (Bernama, April 2010).<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, opposition politicians are always portrayed in a negative light, with their alleged shortcomings exaggerated, misquoted, or downright concocted. The mounting number of defamation cases by opposition figures against MSM newspapers proves this (see box).<\/p>\n

Dwindling circulation is the clearest expression of falling readership, as the frustrated public turns to the internet as a more transparent and quick source of information. Hardest hit is New Straits Times, which has to resort to bulk sales to stay afloat, besides relying on revenue from its more profitable Malay language sister publication in the NSTP stable. The Star was still boosted by its thick advertisement pages to mask its partisan coverage and outrageous spin. The Malaysian Insider reports that advertisers spent RM1.836 billion on newsprint-based media in the first six months of 2012.<\/p>\n

Internet a game-changer<\/strong><\/p>\n

High internet penetration and recent affordability of smart phone devices have turned readers increasingly-savvy as they seek fresh voices and updated news to match their on-the-go lifestyle.<\/p>\n

The ever-growing array of blogs, citizen journalist websites, and alternative news has whetted the appetites and raised the bar for discerning readers. Live coverage, instant photos, interactive opportunities for readers, and free reading are just some of the advantages internet has over conventional printed media. This is besides the perception that online media is freer, fairer, and faster.<\/p>\n

Social media too is an impetus for changing the media landscape, as live tweets, facebook pages, and even instagram offering more variety and diversity in terms of methods to present information. These alternative sources are gaining \u2018street cred\u2019 in the eyes of readers as it is uncensored, contains \u2018juicy\u2019 bits left out in MSM sources, and presents a fuller picture of events.<\/p>\n

Shameless distortion, endless lies<\/strong><\/p>\n

In December 2012, Kosmo and Siasah ran an article that Malays would be in danger if DAP-controlled PKR ruled Malaysia, alleging that the royal institutions, Royal Malay Regiment of the armed forces, and Malay assistance programs would be dissolved.<\/p>\n

In May 2012, Astro censored the BBC news report on the Bersih 3.0 rally it aired in a bid “to comply with the national content regulations”.<\/p>\n

The same month, NST deliberately distorted words used by Australian Senator Nick Xenophon to refer to Scientology and Islam, labeling him \u201canti-Islamic\u201d.<\/p>\n

In July 2011, KDN censors blacked out a portion of an article in The Economist which called Prime Minister Najib Razak\u2019s handling of the Bersih 2.0 rally \u201coverzealous\u201d. – The Rocket<\/p>\n

Read the second part of our media monopoly series here:<\/p>\n

Is Malaysian media being monopolised by cronies?<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n