New Forms of Media Publishing

The mass media is constantly evolving. Communication among society has changed tremendously with the emergence of new media trends such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Blogs, online news sources, and so forth. Although many anticipated the couch potato culture among the new generation, new media seems to prove otherwise. Naughton (2006) states that audiences were passive and uncreative in the past due to the lack of interactive tools and publication opportunities. In terms interactivity, users are now able to actively search for information and interact online with news websites (Salcito, 2009). Publication opportunities have increased too via blogging which allows every user to be a journalist online.

(Source: connectioncafe.com, 2008)

These new forms of media also contribute to new alternative news sources. The Malaysian Insider for example, provides different points of view compared to the mainstream press. Blogs such as limkitsiang.com also offers opinions on current affairs with less censorship and more freedom of expression. Naugthon (2006) concludes that the relationship between blogging and conventional print journalism is symbiotic. Besides that, Lickerman (2010) argues that although the new social media sites like Facebook and Twitter connects people more, there is a vast difference as compared to interacting with people physically. Moreover, messages sent electronically convey emotions very poorly. Thus, virtual communication cannot replace the role of face-to-face interaction.

Lastly, we must always think twice before publishing something over the internet. Even though there is freedom of speech online, we must learn to use it with responsibility. One bad example would be the case of Wee Meng Chee, or better known as Namewee in YouTube. Wee made headlines in 2007 for posting up a controversial music video ‘Negarakuku’, ridiculing the national anthem and Islamic call for prayer (Yahaya, 2010). This caused a stir and racial tension among the public. This year again, he made a comeback video ‘F*** Racism Malaysia Nah’, in response to Siti Inshah’s (racist) remarks. This video was deemed seditious and was taken down due to public disapproval. He now faces risks of being arrested under the ISA and his citizenship being revoked. Hence, using our freedom of speech should always come with responsibility.

(Source: beritasemasa, 2010)

References:

Lickerman, A 2010, Costs of communication on email, Facebook and Twitter, Kevinmd, viewed 30 September 2010,<http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2010/07/costs-communication-email-facebook-twitter.html>

Naughton, J 2006, Blogging and the emerging media ecosystem, viewed 30 September 2010,<http://reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/fileadmin/documents/discussion/blogging.pdf>

Salcito, K 2009, New media trends, Center for journalism ethics, viewed 30 September 2010,<http://www.journalismethics.ca/online_journalism_ethics/new_media_trends.htm>

Yahaya, Y 2010, ‘For the record: a rapper named Namewee’, The malay mail, 3 September, viewed 30 September 2010, <http://www.mmail.com.my/content/48460-record-rapper-named-namewee>