Media Blackout

Another trait of Malaysia is that the government controls all the main stream media, from TheStar to TV3 which about covers almost everything. The main stream media is a powerful tool for the government to portray itself. How the media portrays the government to its people is like a resume. A good resume will land you 70% of the jobs, for it government it is more than enough to secure a majority.

And here I thought the media is the source of information, where we, as people analyze the information ourselves. Facts should be reported with the true and clear picture, not distorted. How do you expect one to look through a dirty window and know what is outside the window?

Since I started blogging, there were two major gag on the media reporting, the first one was the protest at the KLCC about the fuel price. And recently, all news from the dialogue with Ex-PM was not reported in the main stream media. I don't even think that the average Malaysian knows about the forum at all. Using blackmail to enforce a gag order seems to be very effective because none of the media wants to lose its license/permit.

Gag order WAS an effective way to blackout all the news but with the advent of internet and bloggers, it will not work anymore. Alas, it has become a catalyst to fellow bloggers to air their views and reporting it in their own blog for viewers.

List of media allegedly gagged

Main points raised in the forum by Ex-PM
1. Concerns regarding the scenic bridge, proton, sale of MV Agusta, and AP
2. A graduate of Oxford was controlling the government instead of the PM
3. Khazanah Nasional and GLC are not serving its purpose
4. The support the current PM have was of non quality
5. Defended the mega projects built during his tenure
6. Claimed Malaysia has more money than before

Full report on forum by Agenda Daily
Transcipt of Q & A after the forum from Agenda Daily