Regarding LKK's comment , the fact remains that access to information is compromised by a government-controlled press.

Unlike the Iraq War, the BBC or any other foreign broadcaster is not providing and will never provide sustained and prolonged coverage of Malaysia's domestic affairs. Further, we cannot

expect local state-owned media to operate like the BBC, which is uniquely known as the world's most objective media provider.

Moreover, the lack of alternative information is further confounded and diluted by Malaysia's cultural diversity which works not only to check on the government's dominant ideology, but also the opposition's counter-hegemonic messages.

In other words, at any one time any message from PAS, DAP, or Keadilan would be rejected by some sections of society, just as other sections of society would reject outright BN's propaganda, despite the government-controlled press.

Most messages would have to be negiotiated - the responses would range from total agreement to slight agreement to vehement disagreement.

Obviously, the opposition's problems are aggravated by the fact that its message outlets are curtailed or limited by government fiat.

That is one reason why intellectuals are often frustrated by their inability to reach the masses: one malaysiakini cannot match the propaganda organs of an entire state.