Following the launch of a limited subscription service six months ago, malaysiakini is taking a bold step forward to add operational self-reliance to its independent news coverage.
In line with this, news content will be available only to subscribers from Thursday. Access to the Letters section will, however, continue to be freely accessible.
Current subscribers will gain automatic access to both news and op-ed content, while everyone else will have limited access to the content — the first few paragraphs of every report will give them a chance to view the gist of the news.
Chief executive officer Premesh Chandran is confident that this move will build up the subscriber base, given that malaysiakini has become a brand name in independent news coverage over the past three years.
"We believe that when Malaysians want the real story on everything from Ras Adiba to the meningitis outbreak, they turn to malaysiakini ," he said.
"With Internet usage growing by over 10 percent a year, we believe that more people will go online in the coming years and turn to malaysiakini for the news."
According to Premesh, the web-based news provider aims to reach 5,000 subscribers by year's end. Currently, there are about 1,000 subscribers. The content already reaches 80,000 to 100,000 unique readers a day.
"The Letters section will remain free of charge because it has always been one of the most exciting features of the website, often providing a forum for intense debate among readers," he explained.
For a free press
Premesh is aware of the argument that imposing a charge for Internet-based content which is usually free elsewhere, just will not sell.
While this may be true for content that is duplicated and available on other media, he said it would not be the case for malaysiakini .
"Our type of news is unique, and there are enough people out there who will pay for this unique view on Malaysian life. Furthermore, malaysiakini is in a special position to push for press freedom in the country," he said.
"We believe that Malaysia is going through a transition. There is an increasing clamour for a free press in order to be better informed in a globalising world, and also to check abuses. There is the recognition that, for as long as the media is curbed, Malaysia cannot mature.
"Twenty-seven sen a day, or RM10 a month, is a small price to pay to help preserve Malaysia's only independent voice and to ensure that Malaysians will always have a place to go to for news coverage they cannot obtain anywhere else locally."
Subscription rates start at RM10 for one month's access. It would cost RM100 for a standard one-year subscription which will include news and op-ed articles, and RM300 for a premium one-year subscription which will add services such as access to archived material.
2 DAYS TO GO! On Thursday, Aug 15, Malaysiakini's news section will no longer be free. Don't miss out on the country's only independent news source. Subscribe NOW! Click here .
