Taking on the government used to be a daunting task. But it has been made easier with the internet and social media. What lessons can we learn from groups such as the anti-Kidex movement on how to take on the government in the digital age?
YouTube
Manipulating the news: A public disservice
By Ding Jo-Ann
DING Jo-Ann highlights how the traditional media has manipulated the facts in two instances in the current general election. Such distortions harm public discourse and deeper understanding of issues, so crucial to us in a multi-ethnic, multi-religious society.
Slow death by aluminum smelters?
As If Earth Matters by Gan Pei Ling
While green activists in Peninsular Malaysia are protesting the rare earth refinery that has yet to begin operations in Gebeng, Pahang, villagers living near an aluminium smelting plant in Balingian, Mukah, Sarawak, have been suffering in silence. How is the plant affecting the lives of local communities in Balingian? Should we be alarmed at plans for new plants?
Lessons in social media from Bersih 2.0
By Tricia Yeoh
IN the days before and after the Bersih 2.0 rally for electoral reform, Malaysian social networks were buzzing like never before. Internet chatter was centred around the biggest campaign in town: the street march in the heart of Kuala Lumpur on 9 July 2011. Thanks to Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, users had a platform to […]
Against FHM and Red FM ‘s sexualisation of women
By Nadira Ilana
RECENTLY, Red FM conducted a video interview for FHM ‘s Girls Next Door competition. The video was, in my opinion, sexist and explicitly derogatory towards women. I have tried contacting both the radio station and the magazine but to no avail. I left comments on their YouTube and Facebook accounts, and even tried emailing the […]
Malaysia’s gay threat
By Shanon Shah
ON 15 Dec 2010, 32 year-old Azwan Ismail, a Malay-Muslim Malaysian, posted a video on YouTube in which he declared, “I am gay and I’m OK.” One week later, he told the media that he feared for his life. And who could blame him? He now has the de facto minister of religion, the Perak […]
Has Nazri always been “civil to the opposition”?
By Ding Jo-Ann
DATUK Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz is being hailed as a hero in some quarters for his “Malaysian first, Malay second” remarks in an open letter responding to Utusan Malaysia’s Awang Selamat. The minister in the prime minister’s department also said that “being civil to the opposition is the right thing to do in a democracy” as they are also elected by the people. But has Nazri always been civil to the opposition?
Najib’s version of media freedom
By Shanon Shah“As long as the reports do not run foul of our existing laws, the press is free to report on pretty much anything.” PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, denying that Malaysia lacked press freedom and saying that such accusations were grossly unfair. Najib said this to journalists and the business fraternity before giving out […]
U2 on YouTube
By Cindy ThamU2 performing in Madison Garden, 2005 (© Wikipedia Brown / Wiki Commons) FOR a band formed 31 years ago, U2 still rocks! Not only is it still making good music and speaking up on socio-political issues, it is also setting new benchmarks in the use of online technology. A record-breaking 96,000 fans watched the U2 […]
Bringing talent home
By Ding Jo-Ann“We must bring the talents home and provide incentives to keep them home.” PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak in his speech at the Mahathir Science Award 2008 and 2009. He said more scientists and innovators were needed, and that Malaysia must identify the reasons for the country’s inability to nurture a bigger pool of […]
