COMMENT | Who needs Malaysiakini?

COMMENT | For over two decades, Malaysiakini was tasked with delivering the “news and views that matter”.

The country’s first online news portal branded itself as a transformative force for “reformasi”. Its reporting, in stark contrast to the BN-aligned mainstream media, resonated with readers eager for critical journalism that pushes the boundaries.

It is still on task, as Aidila Razak writes, in spite of the personal risks and financial constraints of investigative journalism. Its long history and awards are well-documented in the Google sphere.

However, in a competitive online mediascape where different news portals are running somewhat similar content, Malaysiakini’s standing as the “go-to” alternative site is not guaranteed by intelligent and discerning readers.

Readership demographics and content preferences have shifted since Malaysiakini was first published in November 1999.

A messy, highly intense field

Where loyal readers once placed unquestioning trust in Malaysiakini, critical-minded readers today are accessing different news sites and social media platforms for “information”.

Readers are prone to scrutinising the news. Some even pose as harsh critics of the media narratives. They are vocal participants in the news-making process, notwithstanding the litany of misinformed and malicious comments in the readers’ section.

This underscores the intense pressures that journalists face in weighing their professional practice against public expectations.

Social media texts and imageries - where truths, half-truths, and fakeries are increasingly tricky to decipher - are also looped in the cycle of news production.

Platforms like X, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook prioritise immediacy, demanding a constant stream of updates.

All these effectively overshadow the lengthy process of investigative journalism.

As Aidila writes, Malaysiakini’s commitment to “slow journalism” - rooted in meticulous research and thoughtful analyses - constantly faces an uphill battle to stay relevant.

The urgency to be first to break the news often compels journalists to prioritise speed over depth.

Being pigeonholed

Here lies the pitfall of “reactive reporting”, where journalists end up recycling previous stories and presenting simplistic narratives tailored to readers’ shorter attention spans.

Malaysiakini is not immune to knee-jerk reporting. The consequence? Investigative journalism is compromised. Critical issues that affect the daily lives of Malaysians are sidelined, if not overlooked.

A Google search of “current issues affecting Malaysians” reveals a long list of pertinent issues that journalists ought to research and probe with greater depth, to corroborate, contextualise, and repackage to take readers beyond what they presumably already know.

To date, Malaysiakini’s predominant political coverage and op-eds have solidified its brand.

Ironically, this has also exposed Malaysiakini to the pitfalls of predictability in coverage, lack of diverse news sourcing, and partisan narratives which effectively alienate readers seeking different perspectives on current issues.

Just as the decades of BN’s hold on the mainstream media had stifled the advancement of Malaysian journalism, Malaysiakini may in its predictable narrative just be dancing to the same beat - somewhat akin to fostering “tribal journalism”.

Remaining relevant

Here lies the risks of Malaysiakini evolving into a medium that polarises public diatribes instead of facilitating constructive dialogues.

To remain relevant, Malaysiakini must broaden its news content beyond the daily political polemics to reflect the diversity of Malaysian society.

By amplifying the stories of under-represented communities and investigating social, economic, and cultural issues that other news portals overlook, Malaysiakini can reinforce its standing as a reliable “go-to” inclusive news outlet.

Here lies the need to hire specialist journalists with expert knowledge and interpretative skills in the areas they are reporting, journalists who delve into the “how, why, and what now?” with plausible solutions to long-standing issues.

The onus falls on journalists to be their own harshest critics, practitioners who rigorously evaluate the ethical dimensions of their work and the stories they pursue that challenge the power structures, expose societal inequities, and amplify the voices of the B40 and M40.

Complacency has no place in a newsroom that is committed to harnessing public trust and delivering the “news and views that matter”.

Still the best, but…

Back to the question: Is Malaysiakini still the “go-to” news site?

Yes, but with a caveat: Malaysiakini must evolve and diversify its news coverage to reflect the different realities of Malaysian society.

When readers see their experiences and concerns mirrored in the coverage, it deepens their trust in the organisation.

In the end, the perception of quality “slow journalism” is as significant as its lengthy costly practice.

Malaysiakini’s challenge - and opportunity - lies in ensuring that its reporting does not only inform but also facilitates critical dialogue that transcends race and religion.

So, who needs Malaysiakini? We all do. There are few options left in the practice of “slow journalism” in the country.

ERIC LOO is a former journalist and educator in Australia and a journalism trainer in parts of Asia.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.

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