The Utusan people certainly know how to appreciate their staff, especially those who have served the company for so long and so loyally. They threw a farewell party for outgoing Editor in Chief Khalid Mohd, who is on long leave before retirement.
They even did a special book showing his years as a dedicated journalist in the Utusan family. Khalid even had a sajak dedicated to him and this was published in last Sunday's Mingguan Malaysia. Khalid surely cant ask for more.
It's now Aziz Ishak's turn. The Utusan editorial team is far stronger than that of Berita Harian, according to people who know the story inside out. BH may show more commercialism in their approach to running the newspaper but Utusan have more editorial blood in their make up.
We will see how Aziz progresses in his work and where he's taking his paper to!
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Khalid out, Aziz in
CONGRATULATIONS Aziz Ishak, the new top honcho of Utusan Malaysia's Editorial Department. Only 44, Aziz should have plenty of years ahead as the Editor in Chief. He was already the number 2 when Khalid Mohd was the numero uno.
As for Khalid, all the best to you! I hope you'll write a memoire or something. After all, Khalid has much experience and had seen history being made at close range over the years.
Aziz, friends in the media said, should do well. He's very much an Utusan man all the way. That's one thing good about Utusan - when they promote people, it's done by picking someone from the rank and file.
Except for Johan Jaafar, who came in to replace Zainudin Mydin when the latter was booted out. Johan was then with Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka. And was never a reporter in his entire life.
Well, good luck Aziz! Sleep well! And you too Khalid!
As for Khalid, all the best to you! I hope you'll write a memoire or something. After all, Khalid has much experience and had seen history being made at close range over the years.
Aziz, friends in the media said, should do well. He's very much an Utusan man all the way. That's one thing good about Utusan - when they promote people, it's done by picking someone from the rank and file.
Except for Johan Jaafar, who came in to replace Zainudin Mydin when the latter was booted out. Johan was then with Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka. And was never a reporter in his entire life.
Well, good luck Aziz! Sleep well! And you too Khalid!
Monday, July 21, 2008
Utusan insists on staying broadsheet
After Berita Harian/Berita Minggu ditched their broadsheet size, the only mainstream newspaper that is holding on to that tradition is the Utusan Malaysia/Mingguan Malaysia. From what I hear, the Utusan group is happy to continue with its present format.
There are advantages. The group already have its tabloid newspaper, Kosmo!, which has a claimed circulation of about 130,000. If the main paper goes tabloid, it will compete with Kosmo!, and that is not a good strategy, some friends say.
Berita Harian's tabloid version hasn't really excited many readers. It's basically cosmetic changes. The contents are the same, basically very much a pro-establishment (and pro-PM) paper. Nothing really exceptional.
The Utusan chaps said they are the only newspaper which can offer big across-the-gutter advertisements broadsheet size. This can come in handy on special occassions. They said they are happy with the present format and will make sure it stays that way.
The Utusan chaps believe that there has been no real increase in circulation for the NSTP newspapers which are all tabloids now. Quoting AC Nielsen, they said the circulation figures have been stagnant.
In fact, they said the new Malay Mail has also seen a drop in sales, hovering not much more than 20k copies. Ibrahim Nor has to find new ways to check the decline.
But no one can guarantee this. The Utusan Chief editor Khalid Mohd will leave soon, as do its chairman, Hashim Makaruddin. The new bosses have not been publicly named, and they may have other ideas. We just have to wait.
There are advantages. The group already have its tabloid newspaper, Kosmo!, which has a claimed circulation of about 130,000. If the main paper goes tabloid, it will compete with Kosmo!, and that is not a good strategy, some friends say.
Berita Harian's tabloid version hasn't really excited many readers. It's basically cosmetic changes. The contents are the same, basically very much a pro-establishment (and pro-PM) paper. Nothing really exceptional.
The Utusan chaps said they are the only newspaper which can offer big across-the-gutter advertisements broadsheet size. This can come in handy on special occassions. They said they are happy with the present format and will make sure it stays that way.
The Utusan chaps believe that there has been no real increase in circulation for the NSTP newspapers which are all tabloids now. Quoting AC Nielsen, they said the circulation figures have been stagnant.
In fact, they said the new Malay Mail has also seen a drop in sales, hovering not much more than 20k copies. Ibrahim Nor has to find new ways to check the decline.
But no one can guarantee this. The Utusan Chief editor Khalid Mohd will leave soon, as do its chairman, Hashim Makaruddin. The new bosses have not been publicly named, and they may have other ideas. We just have to wait.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Give our TV boys room to do good job
Tomorrow's (Thursday July 17) newspapers should carry Anwar Ibrahim on page 1 again. The news of his arrest in Segambut was spread by those who got the first hand information through SMS. By lunchtime, the arrest was already talk of the town.
Radio and TV news carried bits and pieces of the arrest. Under the circumstances, radio and TV should give regular updates so that the people will not speculate as to what had happened. If this is properly done, rumours can be minimised, or even eliminated.
In other parts of the world, TV networks would show the drama as it unfolds. Some TV journalists would bring their crew to the ACA office where Anwar had gone to be quizzed. They would probably follow him to wherever he goes so as not to miss any development.
Our TV fellas are not doing this because they are either short-staffed, or told by their political masters not to give Anwar too much airtime. When the Anwr-Ahmad Shabery Cheek debate was shown live on Tuesday night, the streets were almost empty because most people were watching it on TV.
If the local TV boys were left to do a comprehensive job on covering a running story, I'm sure they can do a fairly decent job. But that is not how TV operates here...
Radio and TV news carried bits and pieces of the arrest. Under the circumstances, radio and TV should give regular updates so that the people will not speculate as to what had happened. If this is properly done, rumours can be minimised, or even eliminated.
In other parts of the world, TV networks would show the drama as it unfolds. Some TV journalists would bring their crew to the ACA office where Anwar had gone to be quizzed. They would probably follow him to wherever he goes so as not to miss any development.
Our TV fellas are not doing this because they are either short-staffed, or told by their political masters not to give Anwar too much airtime. When the Anwr-Ahmad Shabery Cheek debate was shown live on Tuesday night, the streets were almost empty because most people were watching it on TV.
If the local TV boys were left to do a comprehensive job on covering a running story, I'm sure they can do a fairly decent job. But that is not how TV operates here...
Monday, July 14, 2008
Media blitz supporting Abdullah-Najib pact
After a short break, and scanning the newspapers since my last posting, I could see that a major media blitz is underway. In the last few days, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Najib Tun Razak have been getting page 1 treatment for their political accord in the Umno hierarchy.
After Abdullah announced that he would pass the baton of leadership to Najib, the mainstream newspapers have been highlighting this development everyday. Immediately after Abdullah made the announcement, Najib took the cue and lent support to his boss' statement.
This led to columnists and bloggers analysing the development, from various perspectives. In fact, the Sunday papers were full of interviews with Abdullah and Najib. It's part of the game plan to win Umno members over to the transition plan.
The papers are now trying to get an exclusive interview with Muhyiddin Yassin, the man said to have reached a pact with Najib and going for the top two posts in the December. Keep a lookout in the next few days.
In the next few months, the media will continue to highlight political news since politics is very much the flavour of the moment. Unofficial discussions have taken place between editors and members of Umno's supreme council to prepare the Umno grassroot to accept the transition plan.
And, also on cue, the media have been highlighting various Umno state liaison committees who have been issuing statements supporting the transition plan. In October, when Umno divisions have thir AGMs, we will see if they truly accept the transition plan as announced.
After Abdullah announced that he would pass the baton of leadership to Najib, the mainstream newspapers have been highlighting this development everyday. Immediately after Abdullah made the announcement, Najib took the cue and lent support to his boss' statement.
This led to columnists and bloggers analysing the development, from various perspectives. In fact, the Sunday papers were full of interviews with Abdullah and Najib. It's part of the game plan to win Umno members over to the transition plan.
The papers are now trying to get an exclusive interview with Muhyiddin Yassin, the man said to have reached a pact with Najib and going for the top two posts in the December. Keep a lookout in the next few days.
In the next few months, the media will continue to highlight political news since politics is very much the flavour of the moment. Unofficial discussions have taken place between editors and members of Umno's supreme council to prepare the Umno grassroot to accept the transition plan.
And, also on cue, the media have been highlighting various Umno state liaison committees who have been issuing statements supporting the transition plan. In October, when Umno divisions have thir AGMs, we will see if they truly accept the transition plan as announced.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Editors don't care? 4th floor orders?
Kecil tapi gah! That's the teaser advertisement posted by Berita Harian several days before the broadsheet goes tabloid this week. The ad simply means Small but Mighty! BH goes the NST way which went tabloid earlier.
The BH people believe that size can make a huge difference in circulation. The NST felt the same way too, but didn't quite got what they planned. NST's circulation still hovers around 130,000, maybe a bit more with all the sensational news these past few days.
By going tabloid, BH goes into direct competition with its Harian Metro, which had been eating into BH figures for some time already. BH people won't admit it though.
Readers want content, more than size. Maybe it's better for BH to just say that the rise in newsprint prices force it to downsize, and save cost. Accuracy and credible reporting can get any newspaper far.
But not the kind that's seen on page 2 of Friday's BH. The big colour picture shows PM Abdullah Badawi chairing a meeting of the Northern Corridor. Conveniently, the paper left out any mention of the Penang, Perak and Kedah CM and MBs in the caption!
I thought the picture shows how practical our leaders are - they can be opposite sides of the political divide, but can sit and discuss developments openly for the sake of the nation and people. Obviously, BH didn't see it this way.
Utusan Malaysia's page 2 carry almost the same picture, but made no mention of the Kedah MB in the caption.
Reporters lazy? Editors don't care? Or both?
The BH people believe that size can make a huge difference in circulation. The NST felt the same way too, but didn't quite got what they planned. NST's circulation still hovers around 130,000, maybe a bit more with all the sensational news these past few days.
By going tabloid, BH goes into direct competition with its Harian Metro, which had been eating into BH figures for some time already. BH people won't admit it though.
Readers want content, more than size. Maybe it's better for BH to just say that the rise in newsprint prices force it to downsize, and save cost. Accuracy and credible reporting can get any newspaper far.
But not the kind that's seen on page 2 of Friday's BH. The big colour picture shows PM Abdullah Badawi chairing a meeting of the Northern Corridor. Conveniently, the paper left out any mention of the Penang, Perak and Kedah CM and MBs in the caption!
I thought the picture shows how practical our leaders are - they can be opposite sides of the political divide, but can sit and discuss developments openly for the sake of the nation and people. Obviously, BH didn't see it this way.
Utusan Malaysia's page 2 carry almost the same picture, but made no mention of the Kedah MB in the caption.
Reporters lazy? Editors don't care? Or both?
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Anwar gets Pg 1 treatment from MSM
In the last few days, mainstream newspapers have given Anwar Ibrahim the Page One (1) treatment, something which the de facto leader of Pakatan Rakyat have not had for a long time.
Given the tempo since news of a 23-year old man lodged a police report alleging he had been sodomised by Anwar, the former DPM looked set to hog the front page for quite a while.
Cabinet ministers is set to take inside pages, unless they say something newsy and can upstage Anwar with his publicity stunts.
It's the same with the local TV networks. Anwar's news also made it into International TV channels, bringing the kind of coverage they dream of and compounding Malaysia's problems with such adverse publicity.
The last time Malaysia receive similar attention was the Hindraf Rally and the People's Rally where thousands marched demanding a better administration from the Government before the March 8 general election.
Reruns of footage of the demonstrations and the police action taken to quell the demonstration reminded the world of what was happening in this country. It looks like we are getting more of the same in the coming months.
The local media is expected to receive some reminders or guidelines soon on how they should treat Anwar's publicity stunts. When this happens, the public will continue to quench their thirst for news from blogosphere.
Given the tempo since news of a 23-year old man lodged a police report alleging he had been sodomised by Anwar, the former DPM looked set to hog the front page for quite a while.
Cabinet ministers is set to take inside pages, unless they say something newsy and can upstage Anwar with his publicity stunts.
It's the same with the local TV networks. Anwar's news also made it into International TV channels, bringing the kind of coverage they dream of and compounding Malaysia's problems with such adverse publicity.
The last time Malaysia receive similar attention was the Hindraf Rally and the People's Rally where thousands marched demanding a better administration from the Government before the March 8 general election.
Reruns of footage of the demonstrations and the police action taken to quell the demonstration reminded the world of what was happening in this country. It looks like we are getting more of the same in the coming months.
The local media is expected to receive some reminders or guidelines soon on how they should treat Anwar's publicity stunts. When this happens, the public will continue to quench their thirst for news from blogosphere.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Rocky Bru did better on Awani than Blog
Did you see Rocky Bru on Astro's Awani Global? I think he did a much better job that when he appeared on RTM's Blog segment. I didn't catch it the first time but was reminded to see the re-run. It was worth it.
Ahirudin Attan was much more relaxed and his Bahasa had also improved, maybe because there was more time on air and host Amir was a lot more involved that RTM's hosts. Amir had obviously done some background work and appears a lot more curious and penetrating.
That helped Ahirudin to share more insights into his well-followed blog. The set was also a lot more spacious and better lighted. A live audience who also posed questions to the guest made the show more inclusive.
Rocky's friends said he was more of himself on the show compared to his appearance on Blog. And they attributed this to his Awani host and the length of time he was on air.
One thing I noticed during the show - the questions from the floor came only from females. I may be wrong 'cos I caught the last half hour of the show when only tudung-clad girls were asking question after question.
I'm not making an issue of it but I thought Astro could have included students from the other communities as well. This would have made the questions more interesting, I think. I suggest Astro look into this soon.
Anyway, it was a more informative show than Blog. Keep it up Suhaimi!
Ahirudin Attan was much more relaxed and his Bahasa had also improved, maybe because there was more time on air and host Amir was a lot more involved that RTM's hosts. Amir had obviously done some background work and appears a lot more curious and penetrating.
That helped Ahirudin to share more insights into his well-followed blog. The set was also a lot more spacious and better lighted. A live audience who also posed questions to the guest made the show more inclusive.
Rocky's friends said he was more of himself on the show compared to his appearance on Blog. And they attributed this to his Awani host and the length of time he was on air.
One thing I noticed during the show - the questions from the floor came only from females. I may be wrong 'cos I caught the last half hour of the show when only tudung-clad girls were asking question after question.
I'm not making an issue of it but I thought Astro could have included students from the other communities as well. This would have made the questions more interesting, I think. I suggest Astro look into this soon.
Anyway, it was a more informative show than Blog. Keep it up Suhaimi!
AU and Khalid Mohd move on - good luck!
Bernama threw a farewell party for Azman Ujang and his wife at its HQ on Monday. Chief Editor Yong Soo Heong gave the farewell speech, wishing his old boss good luck and all that. The usual goodbye stuff.
Azman have told his buddies he's likely to join Bernama TV, the news agency TV channel said to function like CNN, BBC and Aljazeera. The station started well but is now seen as yet another Government propaganda machinery.
Azman was chairman of the MPI for a while. It was during his time that he bestowed Zainuddin Maidin the Tokoh Wartawan Negara soon after Zainuddin gave RM5 million to the MPI as a grant for its programme.
Bernama is also doing a big reshuffle of its editorial staff. Expects details soon.
There's also talk that Zainuddin is to be made our ambassador to Indonesia.
Utusan's Khalid Mohd is on long leave after his term as chief editor of Utusan is not extended. Khalid appeared at the Ministry of Defence's Press Night at Shangrila Hotel last night. Media friends won't tell where Khalid is going after this. Khalid is not a person who will share his views on himself to people.
Azman have told his buddies he's likely to join Bernama TV, the news agency TV channel said to function like CNN, BBC and Aljazeera. The station started well but is now seen as yet another Government propaganda machinery.
Azman was chairman of the MPI for a while. It was during his time that he bestowed Zainuddin Maidin the Tokoh Wartawan Negara soon after Zainuddin gave RM5 million to the MPI as a grant for its programme.
Bernama is also doing a big reshuffle of its editorial staff. Expects details soon.
There's also talk that Zainuddin is to be made our ambassador to Indonesia.
Utusan's Khalid Mohd is on long leave after his term as chief editor of Utusan is not extended. Khalid appeared at the Ministry of Defence's Press Night at Shangrila Hotel last night. Media friends won't tell where Khalid is going after this. Khalid is not a person who will share his views on himself to people.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Shame on you BH, RTM, Bernama
For the whole of Tuesday, the Press corp were up in arms against the administrators of Parliament House. So much so that they ignored the Press Conferences of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his deputy, Najib Tun Razak.
The reason? They were cordoned into a small area in the Parliament lobby and told that their their operations area were confined behind a taped surrounding. They were also told that each media houise could only send five personnel to cover the proceedings in the Dewan Rakyat.
With the unofficial support from their bosses, they boycotted the separate PCs called by Abdullah and Najib. Bernama and RTM broke ranks to cover them, as did Berita Harian. What a shame!
One day after the boycott, the restriction was lifted and things went back as before. Speaker Pandikar Amin Mula called off the restriction when the Backbenchers Club took up the journalists grievances.
Such impediment to media work is not new. There were functions when the media was barred from covering. The organisers got away with this many times because the media is not united. If they are, they can speak with one voice and state their terms clearly and firmly.
Alas, given the present leadership at media organisations, such disunity can be expected to continue. The editors are not likely to stick their out and defend their boys and girls, let alone their right to discharge their responsibilities professionally.
The reason? They were cordoned into a small area in the Parliament lobby and told that their their operations area were confined behind a taped surrounding. They were also told that each media houise could only send five personnel to cover the proceedings in the Dewan Rakyat.
With the unofficial support from their bosses, they boycotted the separate PCs called by Abdullah and Najib. Bernama and RTM broke ranks to cover them, as did Berita Harian. What a shame!
One day after the boycott, the restriction was lifted and things went back as before. Speaker Pandikar Amin Mula called off the restriction when the Backbenchers Club took up the journalists grievances.
Such impediment to media work is not new. There were functions when the media was barred from covering. The organisers got away with this many times because the media is not united. If they are, they can speak with one voice and state their terms clearly and firmly.
Alas, given the present leadership at media organisations, such disunity can be expected to continue. The editors are not likely to stick their out and defend their boys and girls, let alone their right to discharge their responsibilities professionally.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Is the Sun kinder to MB Perak than NST?
The New Straits Times and the Sun today ran separate interviews with Perak MB, Mohamad Nizar Jamaluddin, to mark this 100 days in office. Both newspapers devoted ample space to the interview.
The NST accompanied the Q and A with quotes from various people including a former rubber tapper, a legal firm employee, a market stall owner and a handicraft stall owner. This was intended to give a man-in-the-street feel about the MB.
Legal firm employee S Gunaseelan said: "Please be transparent. Tell us your plans.Many promises have been made for our community but very little has been delivered. We need to know what the new government has in store for us."
Handicraft stall operator Zambri Chukarnian said: " BN has ruled Perak for many years and development has stalled for some time. Will the Pakatan Rakyat goernment be better? We voted for them vecause we wanted change. We hope to see the changes soon."
Interviewed by a team of Ipoh-based reporters (Jaspal Singh, P Chandra Sagaran, Brenda Lim and Veena Babulai), the NST carried 12 questions with a half page commentary by M Husairy Othman. It carries the heading 'Rakyat unsure what's going on.'
The heading for the interview carries a heading "Mohamad Nizar upbeat about Perak's future."
Much space is wasted with the mugshots of the layman interviewed. The space could have been filled with more direct Q and A, considering the NST sent four people to do the interview.
The Sun's interview was done by Humayun Kabir and carries 22 questions. The Q and A appear to carry more of Mohamad Nizar's quotes compared to the NST's. This would give readers a better perspective of the questions asked and the MB's answers.
The newspaper also carry a short introduction before the Q and A. It says: "...Mohamad Nizar talks about about getting down to business after a shaky start to transition of power. Prudent spending and reducing red tape are priorities under his administration..."
The Sun also gives a listing of the state Government's report card. Is the Sun kinder to the MB than the NST?
The NST accompanied the Q and A with quotes from various people including a former rubber tapper, a legal firm employee, a market stall owner and a handicraft stall owner. This was intended to give a man-in-the-street feel about the MB.
Legal firm employee S Gunaseelan said: "Please be transparent. Tell us your plans.Many promises have been made for our community but very little has been delivered. We need to know what the new government has in store for us."
Handicraft stall operator Zambri Chukarnian said: " BN has ruled Perak for many years and development has stalled for some time. Will the Pakatan Rakyat goernment be better? We voted for them vecause we wanted change. We hope to see the changes soon."
Interviewed by a team of Ipoh-based reporters (Jaspal Singh, P Chandra Sagaran, Brenda Lim and Veena Babulai), the NST carried 12 questions with a half page commentary by M Husairy Othman. It carries the heading 'Rakyat unsure what's going on.'
The heading for the interview carries a heading "Mohamad Nizar upbeat about Perak's future."
Much space is wasted with the mugshots of the layman interviewed. The space could have been filled with more direct Q and A, considering the NST sent four people to do the interview.
The Sun's interview was done by Humayun Kabir and carries 22 questions. The Q and A appear to carry more of Mohamad Nizar's quotes compared to the NST's. This would give readers a better perspective of the questions asked and the MB's answers.
The newspaper also carry a short introduction before the Q and A. It says: "...Mohamad Nizar talks about about getting down to business after a shaky start to transition of power. Prudent spending and reducing red tape are priorities under his administration..."
The Sun also gives a listing of the state Government's report card. Is the Sun kinder to the MB than the NST?
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Shabery Cheek continues to woo bloggers
If Zainudin Maidin is still the Information Minister, there's no way bloggers will get any recognition from the Government. But his successor, Ahmad Shabery Cheek, is a different person altogether - younger, more IT savvy, and not bogged with baggages of the past. Certainly not a goblok.
This was proven a couple of nights ago when he invited bloggers to a forum at Iptar, RTM's training institute on the Angkasapuri hill. I was told the bloggers had much to say during the forum, which was also attended by several professors and media practitioners from RTM.
Shabery himself moderated the forum with papers presented by blogger Ahmad Talib, aka Pahit Manis and one academician Azhar. In the audience were well-known bloggers like Rocky Bru, the Scribe, Ancient Mariner, Kuda Kepang, Dunia Tiger, Jalan Sudin and few others.
Hanafiah Man and Rosli from Agenda Daily were also there.
It seems that the forum participants were quite happy with the open and free discussion. One suggestion made by one of the participants was well received. It seemed that Shabery was asked to give media accreditation to bloggers, thus giving them a chance to cover assignments like other media practitioners.
For all that Shabery has done in his open engagement with bloggers, I doubt if he has enough clout to do that! Imagine Rocky Bru attending a PC and asking Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on when he's passing the baton to Najib Razak! Or the Scribe grilling Shahrir Samad on domestic trade policies, especially the increase in food prices and what not! Imagine too Jalan Sudin stalking Rafidah Aziz or Shahrizat Jalil on Wanita Umno matters.
Journalists on the local beat no longer ask tough questions when facing ministers, be they BN ones or those from Pakatan Rakyat. That's why these bigwigs no longer fear, or respect, local journos. Which is why Shabery won't be allowed to dish out media accreditation to bloggers.
The likes of Kalimullah Hassan and Anuar Zaini, through their business associates Wong Chun Wai and Hishamudin Aun, have seen to the demise of the hard-hitting journalism in Malaysia. Khalid Mohd and Yong Gemok at Utusan and Bernama are wage earners and are just as restricted in their work.
Shabery is not your ordinary BN minister. He's smart. He's a politician first and last. Since he knows that the mainstream media are being discredited, Shabery is doing two things which will benefit him most.
He's trying to reestablish RTM's credibility (where he has complete control of operations) and woo the bloggers, who are fast gaining popularity and acceptance by the general public. In this way, Shabery no longer need the main newspapers to pursue his personal and political agenda.
This was proven a couple of nights ago when he invited bloggers to a forum at Iptar, RTM's training institute on the Angkasapuri hill. I was told the bloggers had much to say during the forum, which was also attended by several professors and media practitioners from RTM.
Shabery himself moderated the forum with papers presented by blogger Ahmad Talib, aka Pahit Manis and one academician Azhar. In the audience were well-known bloggers like Rocky Bru, the Scribe, Ancient Mariner, Kuda Kepang, Dunia Tiger, Jalan Sudin and few others.
Hanafiah Man and Rosli from Agenda Daily were also there.
It seems that the forum participants were quite happy with the open and free discussion. One suggestion made by one of the participants was well received. It seemed that Shabery was asked to give media accreditation to bloggers, thus giving them a chance to cover assignments like other media practitioners.
For all that Shabery has done in his open engagement with bloggers, I doubt if he has enough clout to do that! Imagine Rocky Bru attending a PC and asking Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on when he's passing the baton to Najib Razak! Or the Scribe grilling Shahrir Samad on domestic trade policies, especially the increase in food prices and what not! Imagine too Jalan Sudin stalking Rafidah Aziz or Shahrizat Jalil on Wanita Umno matters.
Journalists on the local beat no longer ask tough questions when facing ministers, be they BN ones or those from Pakatan Rakyat. That's why these bigwigs no longer fear, or respect, local journos. Which is why Shabery won't be allowed to dish out media accreditation to bloggers.
The likes of Kalimullah Hassan and Anuar Zaini, through their business associates Wong Chun Wai and Hishamudin Aun, have seen to the demise of the hard-hitting journalism in Malaysia. Khalid Mohd and Yong Gemok at Utusan and Bernama are wage earners and are just as restricted in their work.
Shabery is not your ordinary BN minister. He's smart. He's a politician first and last. Since he knows that the mainstream media are being discredited, Shabery is doing two things which will benefit him most.
He's trying to reestablish RTM's credibility (where he has complete control of operations) and woo the bloggers, who are fast gaining popularity and acceptance by the general public. In this way, Shabery no longer need the main newspapers to pursue his personal and political agenda.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
End of the road for AU, Khalid Mohd
Everyone is watching everyone nowadays. I think i'll just relax and watch the media go by. There are so many things happening in the world of the media that I think we should pay attention to it.
The media watches us, and we must then watch the media. The media gives us stories. We must then also share stories about the media. Many people in the media who have left the profession are now blogging.
A Kadir Jasin, Ahirudin Attan, Nuraina a Samad, Syed Imran, Ruhanie Ahmad, Ahmad A Talib, Maria A Samad and Ibrahim Yahya used to grace the front pages of their newspapers. Now they have gone to cyberspace to write about whatever they want to write.
Will we see Azman Ujang and Khalid Mohd blogging in the near future? Word from the Press Club has it that Azman or AU may be put to pasture once his contract as the GM of Bernama expires soon. Same thing with Khalid at Utusan.
Both are expected to exit the world of journalism. Will they claim their own stake in cyberspace? Anyone heard anything? Both are loyal servants of journalism and will soon have to reinvent their lives once their term of service expires.
When this happens, Yong Soo Heong and Aziz Ishak are likely to take over at Bernama and Utusan respectively.
The media watches us, and we must then watch the media. The media gives us stories. We must then also share stories about the media. Many people in the media who have left the profession are now blogging.
A Kadir Jasin, Ahirudin Attan, Nuraina a Samad, Syed Imran, Ruhanie Ahmad, Ahmad A Talib, Maria A Samad and Ibrahim Yahya used to grace the front pages of their newspapers. Now they have gone to cyberspace to write about whatever they want to write.
Will we see Azman Ujang and Khalid Mohd blogging in the near future? Word from the Press Club has it that Azman or AU may be put to pasture once his contract as the GM of Bernama expires soon. Same thing with Khalid at Utusan.
Both are expected to exit the world of journalism. Will they claim their own stake in cyberspace? Anyone heard anything? Both are loyal servants of journalism and will soon have to reinvent their lives once their term of service expires.
When this happens, Yong Soo Heong and Aziz Ishak are likely to take over at Bernama and Utusan respectively.
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