There is a scarcity of Multimedia Journalism in Malaysia. It is still in the infancy stages, almost like a seed that has been planted in some newspaper. This is because many media are complacent and relying on old media to keep the profits rolling in. In addition, the technology also not matured or affordable enough to make the dream of media convergence come true.
The best selling English newspaper, The Star, is the first newspaper which set up multimedia desk on its electronic newspaper –Star Online, http://thestar.com.my/mmedia/video. The team produces video-clip and podcast for webcasting. Internet users can listen the news bulletins by subscribing the audio clips from podcast channel. The Star also feeding content for mobile phone subscribers. By combining sound, images and texts, The Star journalists relate stories and events in various and attractive way.
In The Star Online, news selection in video clip does not regularly cover daily current “hot” or “important” news. Although recently, they covered General Assembly UMNO—the Malay political party—and the much publicized murder of a Mongolian model was highlighted in the clip, priority of news selection remains vague.
For example, on 1 December 2006, many local newspapers highlighted the news of World AIDS Day or the tragedy of entire families who commit suicide because they are trapped by illegal money-leaders. However, the “Video of the day” in The Star online, reported the people who help in running the various businesses of Rufaqa Corporation in Rufaqa Village in Bandar Country Homes. Another story covered in the video clip is the review and preview of EPC and Champions League Games. Other day of the video clips carried interviews with celebrities and youngsters.
The Mandarin newspaper, Nanyang Siang Pau, also produces video clip in their website. Viewers have a choice to read the news of the day or watch the clips, or both. An opinion poll also conducted to invite response and participation from the viewers on controversial issue. Ten chips are produced daily. The package consists of the host reading the lead, followed by the 10 separate single stories both local and foreign. Some local clips due to lack of camera crew and manpower; utilize still photos from print media instead of running video footage. The script is copied from the print and not written in broadcast form.
The independent online newspapers, Malaysiakini.com and Merdekareview.com carry current news, often political in nature, and produce video clips which are often controversial events. The online journalist writes news for website, taking still photos by using a digital camera to produce photo gallery, and even produce a video clip with a video camera. They also interact with audience through the comments column.
The online journalists learn to use multimedia tool to report current and sensitive news and issues. Such as the university student union elections between pro-government and pro-student factions, the demolition of a Malay village in Berembang, Kuala Lumpur, youths protest over the monopoly of the major Chinese newspapers. All these news was either not reported or downplayed in the mainstream media.
The best selling English newspaper, The Star, is the first newspaper which set up multimedia desk on its electronic newspaper –Star Online, http://thestar.com.my/mmedia/video. The team produces video-clip and podcast for webcasting. Internet users can listen the news bulletins by subscribing the audio clips from podcast channel. The Star also feeding content for mobile phone subscribers. By combining sound, images and texts, The Star journalists relate stories and events in various and attractive way.
In The Star Online, news selection in video clip does not regularly cover daily current “hot” or “important” news. Although recently, they covered General Assembly UMNO—the Malay political party—and the much publicized murder of a Mongolian model was highlighted in the clip, priority of news selection remains vague.
For example, on 1 December 2006, many local newspapers highlighted the news of World AIDS Day or the tragedy of entire families who commit suicide because they are trapped by illegal money-leaders. However, the “Video of the day” in The Star online, reported the people who help in running the various businesses of Rufaqa Corporation in Rufaqa Village in Bandar Country Homes. Another story covered in the video clip is the review and preview of EPC and Champions League Games. Other day of the video clips carried interviews with celebrities and youngsters.
The Mandarin newspaper, Nanyang Siang Pau, also produces video clip in their website. Viewers have a choice to read the news of the day or watch the clips, or both. An opinion poll also conducted to invite response and participation from the viewers on controversial issue. Ten chips are produced daily. The package consists of the host reading the lead, followed by the 10 separate single stories both local and foreign. Some local clips due to lack of camera crew and manpower; utilize still photos from print media instead of running video footage. The script is copied from the print and not written in broadcast form.
The independent online newspapers, Malaysiakini.com and Merdekareview.com carry current news, often political in nature, and produce video clips which are often controversial events. The online journalist writes news for website, taking still photos by using a digital camera to produce photo gallery, and even produce a video clip with a video camera. They also interact with audience through the comments column.
The online journalists learn to use multimedia tool to report current and sensitive news and issues. Such as the university student union elections between pro-government and pro-student factions, the demolition of a Malay village in Berembang, Kuala Lumpur, youths protest over the monopoly of the major Chinese newspapers. All these news was either not reported or downplayed in the mainstream media.
2 comments:
Joshua,
First of all I want to commend you for your great blog. The pictures and graphics are really okay.
I agree with your observation that many news organizations still rely on the old media to keep the profits rolling in. That's true because acquiring new media equipment are quite expensive and small news organizations cannot afford it.
Instead of spending money on new equipment, they would rather spend on manpower instead. Or they cannot afford to hire more people that will manage new media technology in their newsrooms. But despite that, I know there are small organizations that are trying to go into multi-media reporting so they will not be left behind.
Nanette,
Thank you for your compliment.i totally agree with you that "instead of spending money on new equipment,many media company would rather spend on manpower."
I think they have to take a broad
and long-term view to go into multimedia reporting to reach the larger audience.
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