Week 7: Alternative media is the last bastion of freedom by Diana

There are many kinds of alternative media in Malaysia. Alternative media differ from mainstream media along one or more of the following dimensions which are their content, aesthetic, modes of production, modes of distribution, and audience relations. Many chose to read news online rather than buying a newspaper. Nowadays, this trend of news reading is increasing because people are becoming more IT savvy. The existence of various smart phones and gadgets simultaneously encouraged the public to invest in this new technology.

A range of alternative media could be found on Malaysia Central Information portal which is the most comprehensive search directory website in Malaysia. There, lines of alternative media are waiting to be clicked and read. Alternative media sometimes can revitalize news gathering and reengage an increasing distrustful and alienated citizenry. It can also be manipulative and vise versa. Some people chose to read alternative media because they believe that mainstream media are biased in the selection and framing of news and information. They stated that they want the hardcore truth of what is happening in their country other than the same dull political agenda that the government is upholding every single day.

While sources of alternative media can also be biased, proponents claim that the bias is significantly different than that of the mainstream media because they have a different set of values, objectives, and frameworks. Hence these media provide an "alternative" viewpoint, different information and interpretations of the world that cannot be found in the mainstream. Apart from that, every individual has their rights to choose which media that they want to follow. As for me, I think people especially Malaysians should read both mediums because we do not know whom we should trust. Evidently, we should just tag along with the mainstream media but there is nothing wrong on reading alternative media just to gain some interesting news.

To sum up, who knows what will happen in 20 years time. Mainstream media might use new media as their medium to disseminate information or worst comes to worst, newspapers might just be a history…

Diana

Resources : http://www.mycen.com.my/malaysia/online_news.html