MalaysiakiniMalaysiakini has established itself at the forefront of the alternative online newspaper for its unbiased coverage. Communicating the truth has been the tenet of journalism ethics but sadly there have been various degrees of control that prevented impartial reporting Singer (2006). Due to the lack of regulations to prevent web-based news portals from reporting independently and requiring a license to operate unlike print media, Malaysiakini was one of the few online alternative media that was able to conform to the ethical notion of unbiased reporting without much fear. This changed the landscape of the new media ecosystem and more news portals are emerging with the likes of Malaysian Mirror, Malaysian Insider and FreeMalaysiaToday.
With traditional newspapers, it would take time before news reaches the audience. However, the affordance of the new media gives it the technological edge of being able to reach a wide range of audience within seconds Walsh (2006). Also, discussions in print newspapers come in the form of writings through the ‘opinions’ or ‘letters’ column. Malaysiakini, whilst having the same features, have taken the extra leap by offering interactive discussions through its strategic participation in another new media player, Facebook. News alerts are posted on Facebook and members are able to comment and discuss on it.
Malaysiakini in Facebook (click on image to enlarge)
Based on the above, it can be said that the new media ecosystem does not only give room for a player to expand independently, but also allows convenient collaboration between new media players that leads to the creation of added-value information for the audience.
Reference List
With traditional newspapers, it would take time before news reaches the audience. However, the affordance of the new media gives it the technological edge of being able to reach a wide range of audience within seconds Walsh (2006). Also, discussions in print newspapers come in the form of writings through the ‘opinions’ or ‘letters’ column. Malaysiakini, whilst having the same features, have taken the extra leap by offering interactive discussions through its strategic participation in another new media player, Facebook. News alerts are posted on Facebook and members are able to comment and discuss on it.
Malaysiakini in Facebook (click on image to enlarge)Based on the above, it can be said that the new media ecosystem does not only give room for a player to expand independently, but also allows convenient collaboration between new media players that leads to the creation of added-value information for the audience.
Reference List
Singer, J. (2006), "'Truth and Transparency: Bloggers' Challenge to Professional Autonomy in Defining and Enacting Two Journalistic Norms", Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Comm convention, presented to Media Ethics Division,
Walsh, M. 2006, “‘Textual shift’: Examining the reading process with print, visual and multimodal texts,” Australian Journal of Language and Literacy, vol.29, no.1, p.24-37.
Bibliography
Malaysiakini
http://www.malaysiakini.com
Facebook
http://www.facebook.com
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