Comparative News – Page 7 – In Press Global

THE END OF “RELATIONSHIP GOAL”- BRAD PITT AND ANGELINA CALL IT QUITS AFTER 12 YEARS OF TOGETHERNESS

Written by Applefadila

The entertainment industry often brings fame to those involved in it. For example, the actors involved in Hollywood movies are often under the spotlights and gain instant popularity. Thus, reporters would always lay eyes on their latest stories, and the most favorite are their relationship stories.

Taking a couple of examples (whereby they were a couple themselves); let us talk about A-List actors, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie who are also well-known as “Brangelina”. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt began their romance on the set of “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” but Angelina was reported saying she did not chase the male actor because he was married to “her best friend”. She also told Vogue magazine she never wanted to ruin Pitt’s marriage to actress Jennifer Aniston, but it just happened that way (FoxNews). However, as the saying goes “the sky is not always blue”, after being married for 2 years and 12 years of relationship, and six children later, their bond broken.

It was only in July 2015, that the InTouch Magazine started to report on the marriage of the lovebirds that was hitting rock bottom. It was first reported on July 6, 2016 that Brad Pitt was alleged to have had enough with Angelina Jolie because she was always controlling him since the first day they had relationship together. The July 6 cover of In Touch Magazine’s headline reads, “Brad And Angelina Shocker: Divorce Announcement – How It All Went Wrong After 10 Years” also talked about what could have possibly gone wrong only after just one year the couple exchanged their vows (Austin).

Image credit: InTouch Magazine Image source

However, only in the second half of the year 2016 that the news of Brangelina’s actual divorce started to circulate on the Western media. In July 2015, an article made headlines by InTouch Magazine stated Jolie has gotten furious that her husband of two years had reunited with his ex, Jennifer Aniston following the death of her mother. The actor was said to contact his ex to show his sympathy but Angelina did not take that in a good light (Sitzer). The headline was exactly a year after the magazine’s first revelation on the couple’s shaky marriage in July 2015.

Image credit: Gossipcop.com Image source

Following the shocking news by InTouch magazine, our local newspaper in its spread and also online portal reported with the headline “Tangguh Cerai Kerana Filem” on how Brangelina decided to postpone their divorce due to their then on-going movie together, “By The Sea” in which they play as a romantic couple (Utusan Online: Gareet Dawum). Utusan Online on September 22, 2016 with the title “Brad Pitt Berang Jolie Fail Cerai” reported on Brad Pitt’s anger towards Jolie’s allegation that he neglected their children that caused her to file for divorce. (Utusan Online).

As this is the new media era, the emergence of blogs and websites especially on local and international gossips had caused a shift on the citizens’ preference in gaining information, whereby they now make as “netizens” which are the crowd of people who seek and search for information online. A famous local entertainment website, BeautifulNara, did not miss the chance to report on the sensational issue of Brangelina’s broken bond.

Quoted from the website which reads “Dunia hiburan antarabangsa hari ini dikejutkan dengan berita Angelina Jolie yang telah memfailkan penceraian terhadap suaminya, Brad Pitt. Pasangan Hollywood yang terkenal ini telah pun berkahwin sejak tahun 2014 (namun telah bersama lebih kurang 10 tahun) dan memiliki 6 orang anak termasuk 3 orang anak angkat” (BeautifulNara.com).

Translation:

“The international entertainment world today was shocked over the news that Angelina Jolie has filed for a divorce from her husband Brad Pitt. The well-known couple has been married since 2014 but has been staying together for 10 years. The couple has six children 3 of whom are their biological ones”.

Image credit: BeautifulNara Image source

On the other hand, local newspaper, Harian Metro through their online portal, MyMetro published an article titled “Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt bercerai” on 20^th September, 2016 which stated “Angelina Jolie fail perceraian daripada suaminya Brad Pitt selepas 2 tahun berkahwin secara rasmi. Dia juga dilaporkan menuntut hak penjagaan terhadap enam anak mereka, lapor portal berita selebriti TMZ, hari ini. TMZ mendakwa, Angelina, 41, memfailkan tuntutan cerai di mahkamah pada Isnin lalu atas alasan tiada persefahaman dengan tarikh perpisahan dinyatakan bermula 15 September lalu” (MyMetro).

Translated as “Angelina Jolie has filed for a divorce from her husband Brad Pitt after being officially married for 2 years. Angelina was also reported to file for custody over their six children- TMZ celebrity news reported today. Angelina, 41, filed for a divorce on last Monday on the grounds of lack of understanding and the date is alleged to start from15 September 2016”.

There are some examples of reports from the western media on Brangelina’s split issue. Inside Edition interviewed Jolie’s father, who is also an actor on his daughter’s divorce. It was clearly seen from the tabloid’s action that it tried to gain more readers by doing “something more” which is by interviewing someone apart from the couple in concern.

It was made headlines with the title “Jon Voight On Daughter Angelina Jolie’s Divorce From Brad Pitt: ‘Say A Little Prayer”. According to the 77-year-old actor he was saddened by the news. He thought that something very serious must have happened for Pitt to make a decision like she did. Moreover, it also quoted from TMZ that Jolie does not want Pitt to have any physical custody of their kids, only legal custody because Jolie “was extremely upset with his methods” of parenting (Inside Edition).

Some media outlets had also become a bit extreme when they reported on cheating allegations involving both Pitt and Jolie. As an instance, ITechPost published an article titled “Reason Of Divorce: Angelina Jolie Cheating On Brad Pitt”. Even though further in the article, it had stated that the cheating allegation on Jolie was untrue, however the way the reporter put the words in headlines showed that it was not a question, but rather a statement. The absence of the “?” mark also indicates a voiced-out statement. This is a form of a negative reporting whereby they use direct and sensational words in headlines to allure readers to click on the posts or to read them. The words used in the headlines sometimes contribute to defamation, because they are often put in a manner which is confusing to the public or even carry multiple meanings and contain innuendos.

Quoted from the said website (ITechPost),

“A new report said that Angelina Jolie was unfaithful to Brad Pitt. Prior to her first divorce filing, Angelina Jolie is accused of having extramarital affairs with a billionaire while still married with Brad Pitt. The report also said that she’s now dating the billionaire”.

It did not stop there. Pitt was also accused on having an affair. They also stated, based from an unreliable report, the investigator to Pitt’s affair was even hired by Jolie herself.

“Through the months the two has faced with allegations of having an affair between Pitt and his Allied co-star, Marion Cotillard. So when Angelina filed the divorce, people tend to blame Brad Pitt for what happened. In one report said that Pitt and Cotillard’s affair had been confirmed by an investigator hired by Angelina.”

Apart from that, the western media also has the tendency to twist the issues in concern. Instead of focusing on the issue of the couple’s divorce, some media tried to take advantage by exaggerating on other issues and twisting them to make the posts or reports more likeable. The Hollywood Gossip with the title “Brad Pitt’s Sons: You’re a Disappointment as a Father!” stated

Brad Pitt is not, perhaps, making the familial progress that he hopes.

It further stated, Pitt is slammed for being a “disappointment” in his sons’ eyes, and it also stated “it doesn’t get much bleaker than that”. Reports have emerged that Brad Pitt had an opportunity to take his sons to a Sublime/Offspring concert, but backed out at the last minute, leaving them heartbroken and devastated. Pax and Maddox, Brangelina’s two eldest boys, were said to be “crushed” when their dad pulled out of their concert plans last-minute. The report also claimed that the boys are not taking things between their estranged parents well at all (The Hollywood Gossip; Sarah Taylor).

A question to put in first; how is it relevant that the breaking of promise to go to a concert constitute to a major disappointment? Plus, the words used in the headlines show as if they were uttered by the children themselves while by right, they did not say anything. It was just the way of the media, and in this case, The Hollywood Gossip, to twist the issue, and manipulate the usage of words in the headlines or articles so as to become more controversial in nature. Moreover, in this case, Pitt was undergoing investigation with the Federal Bureau Investigation (FBI) and DCFS regarding child abuse allegation placed against him arising from his argument from their first (adopted) child, Maddox. However, an official press-release statement by the FBI had proven that Pitt did not abuse his child and that such allegations against him were cleared (US Weekly; Sierra M & Evan R.).

Hence, when The Hollywood Life published the article with such headlines, it added more “commercial value” on it, and obviously people or readerss had high tendencies to click on the post just because they thought that Pitt might really be a bad father after all. This type of reporting does not follow the journalist’s Code of Ethics. Such writing styles have a very high tendency to ignite defamation, and they may face the risk of being brought to court for civil offences.

In a nutshell, it was saddening to hear that Brangelina is no longer an “item”. What are the effects of the split? Well, there goes the “perfect relationship”, “fairytale” or “beyond romantic relationship” that public once viewed Brangelina with. A majority of the people has also set Brangelina as a “relationship goal”.

Just think about this phrase; there are not any oceans without tides, and beaches without waves. Some might say their “prefect couple” is now a memory, but those who truly know life would understand that not everything is sweet in life. While some might wish for them to reconcile and rekindle their romance, some might be eager to wait for what more the entertainment industry has yet to offer? And with that, thank you and the end.

References

Austin, Amanda. Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt Divorce: Breakup Of Brangelina – Couple Agrees To Fake Marriage Until ‘By The Sea’ Movie Is Released. 27 June 2015. 9 November 2016 <http://www.celebdirtylaundry.com/2015/angelina-jolie-brad-pitt-divorce-breakup-of-brangelina-couple-agrees-to-fake-marriage-until-by-the-sea-movie-is-released/>.

BeautifulNara.com. Angelina Jolie Failkan Penceraian Terhadap Brad Pitt. 21 September 2016. 10 November 2016 <http://beautifulnara.com/angelina-jolie-failkan-penceraian-terhadap-brad-pitt/>.

CNN; Lisa R.F & Brian S. Angelina Jolie files for divorce from Brad Pitt. 2016 21 2016. 9 November 2016 <http://edition.cnn.com/2016/09/20/entertainment/angelina-jolie-brad-pitt-divorce/>.

FoxNews. Angelina Jolie Reveals How She and Brad Pitt Fell in Love. 12 December 2006. 9 November 2016 <http://www.foxnews.com/story/2006/12/12/angelina-jolie-reveals-how-and-brad-pitt-fell-in-love.html>.

Inside Edition. Jon Voight On Daughter Angelina Jolie’s Divorce From Brad Pitt: ‘Say A Little Prayer’. 20 September 2016. 10 November 2016 <http://www.insideedition.com/headlines/18764-jon-voight-speaks-out-on-daughter-angelina-jolies-divorce-from-brad-pitt>.

ITechPost. Reason Of Divorce: Angelina Jolie Cheating On Brad Pitt. 11 October 2016. 10 November 2016 <http://www.itechpost.com/articles/38964/20161011/reason-divorce-angelina-jolie-cheating-brad-pitt.htm>.

MyMetro. Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt Bercerai. 2016 September 2016. 9 November 2016 <http://www.hmetro.com.my/node/167901>.

People.com; Diana Pearl. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s Divorce: The 7 Biggest Revelations. 23 September 2016. 9 November 2016 <http://people.com/celebrity/angelina-jolie-brad-pitt-divorce-biggest-bombshells/jolie-is-seeking-sole-physical-custody-of-the-kids>.

Sitzer, Carly. Angelina Jolie Goes Nuclear After Learning Brad Pitt Was In-touch With Ex Jennifer Aniston (Exclusive). 6 July 2016. 9 November 2016 <http://www.intouchweekly.com/posts/angelina-jolie-jennifer-aniston-brad-pitt-107088>.

The Hollywood Gossip; Sarah Taylor. Brad Pitt’s Sons: You’re a Disappointment as a Father! 18 October 2016. 10 November 2016 <http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2016/10/brad-pitts-sons-youre-a-disappointment-as-a-father/>.

US Weekly; Sierra M & Evan R. FBI Releases Statement on Brad Pitt’s Child Abuse Investigation. 22 September 2016. 10 November 2016 <http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/fbi-releases-statement-on-brad-pitts-child-abuse-investigation-w441685>.

Utusan Online. Brad Pitt Bengang Jolie Fail Cerai. 22 September 2016. 9 November 2016 <https://www.utusan.com.my/berita/luar-negara/brad-pitt-berang-jolie-fail-cerai-1.385659>.

Utusan Online: Gareet Dawum. Tangguh Cerai Kerana Filem. 28 July 2015. 9 November 2016 <https://www.utusan.com.my/hiburan/tangguh-cerai-kerana-filem-1.117960>.

DONALD TRUMP WINS US PRESIDENCY

Written by Rasheffa Rashid

The win of Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States on November 9, 2016, shocked the world. While many might have predicted the win, tough some kept their fingers crossed hoping on Hillary Clinton’s winning the 2016 Presidency US Election. Upon the announcement on his winning, Trump surpassed the threshold of 270 out of the total 538 electoral votes needed to win the presidency. People around the world reacted as the world was coming down on them. Some even believed that The Simpsons from 2000 projection on Trump being the US president and US facing a major financial crunch, which turned out to be true.

Bernama on Nov 9, quoting a report from China’s Xinhua news agency reported, that the victory has made Trump the first president that never held elected office since 1953, pulling a major upset after a controversial and scandalous campaign cycle. What made people feared his win was his crazy campaign resolutions calling to impose ban on Muslim travellers in to the United States. Diamond (2015) a CNN journalist quoting a campaign press release his article mentioned:

“Donald J. Trump is calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country’s representatives can figure out what is going on”

Trump proposed for the move reacting to a deadly mass shooting in San Bernardino, California, suspected ISIS sympathizers (Diamond, 2015).Trump’s proposal resulted in many of his opponents to engage in a debate over whether a religious test should be conducted for one to enter America. However, his supporters, showed their approval towards proposal (Diamond, 2015) on the ban which was widely debated on netizens on social media.

During the 2016 election on November 8, the stock markets around the world started to show uncertainty and investors projected US Dollar to plunge upon Trump’s win. Referring to a Bernama news report, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) was down in a knee-jerk reaction in line with global bourses to the shocking results of Donald Trump winning the US presidential election. When the announcement on the current status of the market made, Trump had won 276 electoral votes, and only needed six electoral votes to become the next US President, leaving Clinton far behind with only 218 electoral votes. With these results in hand, it was pretty obvious that Trump will hold the next US President post.

Image credit: Image source

A BBC report titled “US Election 2016: Asia markets jolted by Trump win” said Asian stocks had fallen sharply as Trump beat Hillary in their race into the White House.

“All regional markets closed lower, with money flowing into safe haven stocks, gold and currencies including the yen. Japan’s Nikkei 225 dropped by 5.4% while European and US markets are expected to slide when trading resumes on Wednesday”

According to the report, the market showed negativity as traders had expected Hillary Clinton to win. The BBC report also said, analyst believed the plunge in Asian Market was because Trump’s win was seen as negative for Asian economies due to his previous protectionist rhetoric. The Republican candidate had talked about imposing tariffs on China imports and punishing companies that send their work overseas.

However, US markets took a U-turn, when it closed higher the following day after Donald Trump’s election win, defied expectations of a slump as investors predicted. The dollar dived after the US election result was called, but has continued to recover against the euro during the day.

On to the Ringgit, The Edge Markets on Nov 10 reported, the ringgit to depreciate to its weakest point at 4.2537 against the US Dollar a day after Donald Trump’s election win. Analysts said Trump’s victory against Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton had created uncertainty on US policies on world political and economic backdrops.

It was also reported that, the ringgit lost two per cent week-on-week against a strong US dollar on November 11. Analyst from Affic Hwang Asset Management said, this phenomenon of currency fall, was not only experienced in Malaysia, but the risk-off sentiment shockwave was sent globally. Many emerging market currencies were affected upon a republican winning the presidency. This was mainly due to Trump’s intention to impose stricter trade deals.

Reference

Chong, J. H (2016). Ringgit weakens on Trump win, Malaysia rate cut talk.
TheEdgeMarket.com, 10 Nov 2016, retrieved on 24 Nov 2016, from
http://www.theedgemarkets.com/my/article/ringgit-weakens-trump-win-malaysia- rate-cut-talk

Donald Trump Wins US Presidential Election. (2016). Bernama.com, 9 Nov,
retrieved on 23 Nov 2016 from
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v8/wn/newsworld.php?id=1300423

Diamond, J (2015). Donald Trump: Ban all Muslim travel to U.S. CCN News, 8 Dec
2015. Retrieved on 23 Nov 2016 from
http://edition.cnn.com/2015/12/07/politics/donald-trump-muslim-ban-immigration/

Thomas, L (2016). Why Stock Markets, Initially Shaken, Went Up After Trump’s
Victory. The New York Times, 8 Nov 2016. Retrieved on 23 Nov 2016 from

Trump Win Sends Risk-Off Sentiment Shockwave Globally (2016). Bernama.com,
11 Nov. Retrieved on 25 Nov 2016 from
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v8/bu/newsbusiness.php?id=1301318

Trump wins US election: How world leaders have reacted (2016). BBC News, 9 Nov.
Retrieved on 25 Nov 2016 from http://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2016-37919394
US Election 2016: Asia markets jolted by Trump win (2016). BBC News, 9 Nov, retrieved on
23 Nov 2016 from http://www.bbc.com/news/business-37917842

US stocks climb after Trump win (2016). BBC New, 10 Nov, retrieved on 23 Nov 2016 from
http://www.bbc.com/news/live/business-37875340

TRAGEDY OF MH17

Written by Natasha Sidek

The tragedy of MH17 is one of the most tragic airline incidences in few decades. Hundreds of lives gone and the culprit of the incident is still no budging. All of the related US propaganda is seems relatable but not proven.

This incident affected the reputation of Malaysia Airlines as it happens after the missing of MH370. The image of Malaysia Airlines is on the peak however they play a good part in crisis communication.

Berita Harian Online (Malay Language Newspaper)

17 Julai 2014

MH 17 ditembak jatuh di Wilayah Donestk, Timur Ukraine

19 Julai 2014

133 pegawai pakar dari Malaysia tiba di Kiev

21 Julai 2014

Pemimpin kumpulan pemisah Alexander Borodai serahkan dua kotak hitam kepada Malaysia.

282 mayat di Torez dihantar ke Kharkiv guna kereta api sebelum diterbangkan ke Belanda

22 Julai 2014

40 keranda tiba di Lapangan TerbangTentera Eindhoven

25 Julai 2014

Menteri Pengangkutan, Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai sahkan kedua-dua kotak hitam berkeadaan baik dan kandungannya tidak tercemar

27 Julai 2014

Belanda umum identity mangsa pertama dikenalpasti

31 Julai 2014

Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Razak temui Perdana Menteri Belanda, Mark Rutte, di The Hague dan menuntut gencatan senjata di lokasi pesawat terhempas

1 Ogos 2014

15 identiti pertama mangsa rakyat Malaysia dikenal pasti Pasukan DVI.

19 Ogos 2014

28 identiti mangsa MH17 rakyat Malaysia dikenalpasti

22 Ogos 2014

Hari Perkabungan Negara

9 September 2014

Laporan awal nahas MH17 dikeluarkan Lembaga Keselamatan Belanda (OVV)

14 Oktober 2014

Pasukan penyiasat Malaysia memasuki lokasi nahas MH17 untuk ambil barangan peribadi milik mangsa

1 Disember 2014

Malaysia diterima sebagai ahli penuh dalam Pasukan Siasatan Bersama MH17

9 Disember 2014

Bangkai penuh pesawat MH17 tiba di pangkalan tentera udara Belanda di Gilze-Rijen, Selatan Belanda

18 Februari 2015

Draf resolusi terbaharu Majlis Keselamatan PBB mengenai keadaan di Ukraine

10 Julai 2015

Malaysia menerima laporan awal hasil siasatan nahas MH17 daripada pihak berkuasa Belanda Kerajaan memerlukan 60 hari teliti laporan secara menyeluruh dan terperinci.

Lima Negara termasuk Malaysia desak Majlis Keselamatan PBB menubuhkan tribunal jenayah antarabangsa untuk mendakwa suspek yang menembak jatuh pesawat MH17

11 Julai 2015

Malaysia mengadakan majlis memperingati ulangtahun pertama tragedy pesawat MH17

30 Julai 2015

Russia menggunakan kuasa veto menolak resolusi Majlis Keselamatan PBB bagi penubuhan tribunal khas itu.

11 Ogos 2015

Pasukan penyiasat antarabangsa MH17 kenal pasti serpihan dari peluru berpandu BUK buatan Russia di lokasi terhempas.

24 Ogos 2015

Malaysia serah maklum balas berkaitan laporan nahas pesawat MH17 kepada pasukan penyiasat Belanda

13 Oktober 2015

Lembaga Keselamatan Belanda (OVV) sahkan MH17 ditembak jatuh dengan peluru berpandu BUK buatan Russia – Pengerusi OVV, Tjibbe Joustra sahkan tiga anak kapal mati di dalam kokpit terkena serpihan peluru berpandu. Bagaimanapun laporan akhir itu tidak menyatakan siapa yang bertanggungjawab melancarkan peluru berpandu itu.

The plane crashed in rebel-held eastern Ukraine at the height of the conflict between government troops and pro-Russian separatists. It said that the crash caused by the denotation of a Russian-made 9N314M-type warhead carried on the 9M38M1 missile, launched from the eastern part of Ukraine using a Buk missile system.

The joint Investigation Team (JIT) which reported on the interim findings of its criminal investigation in September 2016 similarly found irrefutable evidence a BUK missile from the 9M38-series was used.

Hence, the local news and international news might give different vibes and views. It is because of the controlled on it and the many speculations arise between it.

STANDOFF LAHAD DATU SABAH

Written by Mazida Desa

The 2013 Lahad Datu standoff was a military clash that began on 11th February 2013 and finished on 24th March 2013. The standoff emerged after 235 activists were armed, touched by pontoons in Lahad Datu, Sabah. The gathering, calling themselves the “Imperial Security Forces of the Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo”, was sent by Jamalul Kiram III, one of the inquirers to the royal position of the Sultanate of Sulu.

BACKGROUND OF THE MEDIA

Local Media : Astro Awani

Astro Awani (Channel 501) is a 24-hour news channel number one in Malaysia. They publish news bulletins, business and sports all day from Kuala Lumpur city centre, with a network of experienced journalists throughout Malaysia. Astro Awani was launched on 6th September 2007 together with the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Malaysia’s independence. Astro Awani is the in-house rolling news and current affairs television channel providing 24-hour news coverage including news in Malay. With its slogan and motto tagline, News that transcends Dimensions (Malay: All the News Dimension), Astro Awani presents news and informative programs including current affairs, lifestyle, documentaries, interview programs and local and international magazine.

International Media : Reuters

Reuters /ˈrɔɪtərz/ is an international news agency headquartered in Canary Wharf, London,United Kingdom and is a division of Thomson Reuters. The Reuter agency was established in 1851 by Paul Julius Reuter in Britain at the London Royal Exchange. Paul Reuter worked at a book-publishing firm in Berlin and was involved in distributing radical pamphlets at the beginning of the Revolutions in 1848.

PROPAGANDA OF THE MEDIA

Image credit: Image source

Propaganda is any misleading and bias information which is to promote or publicise a particular political party or any point of view. Two of the alternative media that has been chosen to compare the propaganda of MH17 news is Berita Harian online and BBC news online. Awani news propaganda involves small incident in which they reported the entry of Philippine rebels discovered by some fishermen and has entered several locations in the village. This is a small issue is that may be created to make the story more sensational. Compared to Reuters news, they begin by describing the news about how the Malaysian military against rebels stormed the camp of armed groups. In addition, Awani news also reported that it was not reasonable, as the rebel group is composed of individuals who are malnourished whereas the elderly in sarongs and slippers are mostly unarmed. It is said to be not logic because if they attack Lahad Datu with such external, then why the people are feeling threatened and insecure? While the Reuters press clearly stated the gunman was still at large and were not captured. The rest were suspected to be linked with Anwar Ibrahim who was accused of being involved in the rebellion.

Reuter had been associating it with a riot case affects investment in Sabah where it will draw back investors’ interest. After the issue was being analyzed, it clearly showed that it does not affect Sabah until such time as the issues related to the invasion of the heirs of the Sulu Sultanate asking for their rights. According to Awani news, they assumed that the Philippine government is letting the issue go and leaving the fate of Sulu in the hands of the military forces of Malaysia. News Awani Malaysia reported a police officer was killed by an attacker with a heartbreaking situation. This news could not be identified the authenticity of conflict Lahad Datu because the murder was not being reported and they did not give the details of the murder case. Reuters has also added news by associating it with Islamic rebels in the news where there is no direct relationship with the uprising in Lahad Datu. As explained previously, the purpose of this revolt is the heir of the Sulu Sultanate that demands their rights in land in Sabah.

Timeline of the Issue

The chronology of the cases is extracted from various sources from local media. Starting on February 9 the intruder entered using a boat and assembled in stages starting from Felda Sahabat 17, Kampung Tanduo, Lahad Datu and end of March 2 the body of Inspector Zulkifli Mamat and Corporal David Sabarudin were killed in a battle with a group of armed intruders in Lahad Datu. They arrived at the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Subang at about 12.43pm. Inspector Zulkifli Mamat was buried in the cemetery in Kampung Gong Bayor, Jertih Corporal David Sabarudin was buried at the Muslim cemetery in Kampung Masjid Sungai Makmuriah Lias, Owerri.

Evidence

Image credit: thesundaily.my Image source

Image credit: Reuters Image source

I think the most important lesson that Malaysia must learn from the standoff in Lahad Datu is the weakness of our border defence. Like other Malaysians, I’m very concerned with the speculation that Lahad Datu standoff used whereby it was just an excuse by a desperate government to declare emergency for fear of losing the coming elections.

MAS STEWARD SEXUALLY ASSAULTED FRENCH WOMAN

Written by Fatin Amalina

After the heart-breaking stories of two Malaysia Airlines (MAS) flight, MH370 and MH 17, again the world has been shocked by the same flight brand only on a different case, the controversial news regarding on sexual assault by Malaysia Airlines’ steward towards its passenger. The occurrence was reported in August 2014 which was a month after the tragic incident of the airlines’ flight.

What had made the incident look a lot bitter, the assault was carried out during the Chief Steward of MAS, Mohammed Rosli Bin Ab Karim performing his formalities. He was then detained by the police officers in France after allegations of sexual assault to one of the MH20 passengers, Laura Bushney on August 4^th 2014. According to Bushney, the steward was trying to ‘calm and comfort’ as she was expressing how worried she was being on the plane in conjunction with the incidents that took place between MH370 and MH17. At the end, the action then allegedly turned into a sexual assault. Bushney made a police report about the ‘inappropriate sexual behaviour’. MAS terminated Mohd Rosli two weeks after the alleged incident on August 25th, 2014, and MAS came to admit of the following indictment, Mohammed Rosli was misbehaving against her. According to Astro Awani, MAS affirmed that:

… Malaysia Airlines has always expect the best standard of our staff and we also take seriously the claims of its kind. We will assist the French authorities to investigate (Tamboo, 2014).

However, two years after the occurrence, Bushney sued the carrier under the Montreal Convention for RM616, 000 while Mohammed Rosli was guaranteed in France and is still awaiting trial. Bushney has two years to get compensation based on the physical harm suffered and financial loss, according to Montreal Convention.

The fact that the incident took place between two different countries is obvious to show how drastically contrast the media coverage is. Now, let’s have a little glance on how the story was being covered between a Malaysian media, Astro Awani and an International media, Daily Mail.

Fairness

Based on what was seen by Astro Awani coverage, it was crystal clear that they were playing with ‘picking side’ style of reporting. This can be proven when Astro Awani for a numerous times revealed the name and personal data of the sexual assault victim, Laura Bushney.

The offender (Mohammed Rosli) on the other hand, not even a single name was mentioned throughout the entire coverage. This plainly shows that Astro Awani was not being ethically fair to both parties of the case because when someone’s name is revealed, in fact, it technically endangers the person’s position too. However, both names were revealed according to the coverage made by Daily Mail.

Table 1: the table shows certain info and taken a passage from the article that was reported by Astro Awani which shows a different standard given by them towards Bushney and Mohammed Rosli where only the victim’s name and information was revealed.

Propaganda

One of the things that many news agencies always fail to ‘keep an eye’ onto is to prevent from any sense of a ‘hoop-la’. Why? Because audience loves it when seasoning and flavour are added to the stories.

On November, 15 2014, Astro Awani posted a news article entitled ‘Keluarga bekas pramugara MAS didakwa lakukan serangan seksual rayu bantuan’ shows more sympathy for Mohammed Rosli where they interviewed his daughter and son in law.

…“Kami semua merindui sangat bapa kami dan tidak tahu apa lagi yang boleh kami lakukan… “Kami hanya berharap kepada mana-mana pihak yang boleh membantu kami untuk membawa balik bapa kami,” tambah Mohamad Faiq (son in law)… “Surat tersebut mengatakan bahawa MAS memberinya 60 hari untuk memfailkan rayuan terhadap keputusan itu sedangkan mereka sedia maklum bahawa bapa kami sedang dalam tahanan di Paris dan tidak berada dalam Malaysia… “MAS tidak memberikan bantuan kepada kami untuk menjejaki bapa kami. MAS meninggalkan kami dalam keadaan serba tidak tahu dan ini amat mengecewakan dan menyedihkan kami sekeluarga,” tambahnya. “Dia (bapa) telah kehilangan berat badan. Dia kelihatan sakit dan tertekan. Dia menghadapi masalah berkaitan pemakanan dan mengalami stres selain tekanan darah tinggi… “Paling menyedihkan adalah pada hari terakhir kerana kami tidak dapat berjanji kepadanya bila dia boleh pulang,” kongsi Syaza yang tidak dapat menahan kesedihan… (Syafique Shuib, 2014).

Apart from that, Astro Awani also posted a news article which reported that Bushney had been deprecated on social media. Together with the news, Astro Awani attached few tweets that were posted by the netizens that disagreed with the entire issue of sexual assault and thought that Bushney was actually playing victim.

From the tweets, what can we digest from Astro Awani is that they had shown less professionalism in news reporting. At this point, what can we question is; are these propagandas purposely implanted so that their news would sell?

At the end of everything, we can never deny the fact that communication is the most significant part for every organisational operation as it not only functioning in connecting and interacting within the organisation itself, hence also enables people to communicate world-widely. With the existence of communication, automatically it enables ones to be reached borderless. However, the same thing also goes to media, where communication becomes a connector with one country to another. Hence to every company that sells communication like Astro Awani and Daily Mail, what they need to be aware of is that communication is actually representing who they are. For example, if they are practising and promoting good communication, it shall be a direct image of the company viewed positively among others.

Nevertheless, after a thorough glance of this issue, what can be summarised is that both of local and international news media agencies have their strengths and weaknesses moreover on the way of reporting. Local news are more to exaggerating the news to make it bombastic while international news are straight forward on the issue that they want to report even they if practice freedom of media. However, it is clear that Astro Awani is still in poor communication when it comes to reporting news to its audience.

Bibliography

Malaysiakini. (2015, December 11). 3,000 rape cases in Malaysia every year. Retrieved from Malaysiakini.com: http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/322980

Syafique Shuib. (2014, November 15). Keluarga bekas pramugara MAS didakwa lakukan serangan seksual rayu bantuan. Retrieved from Astro Awani`: http://www.astroawani.com/berita-malaysia/keluarga-bekas-pramugara-mas-didakwa-lakukan-serangan-seksual-rayu-bantuan-48465

Tamboo, L. T. (2014, August 14). Pramugara MAS ditahan polis Perancis kerana didakwa lakukan serangan seksual. Retrieved from Astro Awani: http://www.astroawani.com/berita-malaysia/pramugara-mas-ditahan-polis-perancis-kerana-didakwa-lakukan-serangan-seksual-41909

BERNAMA AND BBC NEWS IN REPORTING THE SPREAD OF ZIKA VIRUS IN SINGAPORE

Written by Rasheffa Rashid

History of Zika Virus

Zika virus which is transmitted by the Aedes mosquito is not a new born disease, it was founded in decades ago when it was first identified in Uganda 1947 in monkey (WHO, 2016) before founded in humans in 1952. According to the WHO, the virus has been among the human community but was not highlighted in the media until the first large outbreak where Zika infection cases were reported from the Islands of Yap in 2007 (WHO, 2016). Yap is an island group in the Western Pacific that is part of the Federated States of Micronesia.

Since then, the virus spread explosively, to other Pacific Islands before it landed in Brazil, and from there spreading rapidly to South America, Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean (Teh, 2016). The outbreak of Zika virus began in Brazil in April 2015 which later spread to South and Central America and then the Caribbean Island (Teh, 2016).

Several countries around the globe were experiencing Zika virus outbreaks. In January 2016, a level 2 travel alert was imposed for people travelling to regions and certain countries where Zika virus transmission is ongoing (Teh, 2016) especially pregnant women. The virus was spreading from one country to another, through individuals that may have been infected by virus, travelling from Zika infected nations back to their own country and others countries around the world.

A news report by Bernama on January 23, 2016, the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) had said, that the virus has been reported in 23 countries over the two months since its worldwide alert in late 2015. It also said, Zika virus has spread to 13 additional countries and territories in just one month since.

Zika Symptoms:

Fever
Rash
Joint pain
Conjunctivitis (red eyes)
Muscle pain
Headache

Zika Virus & Pregnant Women

Unlike a normal person, the consequences of a pregnant woman are more serious, this is because as the Zika virus infection can cause microcephaly in a small number of unborn foetus of pregnant women. According to WHO’s earlier reports, there is no evidence that pregnant women are more likely to get infected with the virus. Pregnant women with symptoms of probably infected with Zika virus are advised to seek medical attention immediately.

How Zika Virus Transmit

The Aedes mosquito-borne disease primarily is transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito. This is this the same mosquito that transmits dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever (WHO, 2016). However, what differs Zika virus from other types of diseases carried by Aedes mosquito is it can also be transmitted through sexual intercourse.

Prevention Measures:

People can avoid mosquito bites by wearing light coloured clothes
Keep the doors, and window shut, sleeping under a mosquito net
Apply insect repellent.
Keep home surroundings clean
Keep buckets, drums, pots, gutter and used tyres empty.

Summary of Chronology of on The Spread of Zika Virus in Singapore & Malaysia

Since the large and fast moving spread of the infectious Zika Virus in 2015, the South East Asian region has been alerted on the scare. Thus the probability of the disease transmitted into close to Malaysia country was still low but not impossible, however, the Malaysian Health Ministry were prepared at any cost to face the outbreak.

BBC on May 20 reported that Singapore declared its first imported Zika case in May. A 48-year-old local who had travelled to Brazil, where the outbreak started, got infected with the disease. Likely Malaysia as well alerted its public on the matter, according to a Bernama report on that date, Malaysian Health Minister Datuk Seri S. Subramaniam, advised Malaysians not to panic following the Zika threat in Singapore. He said, it was among the first few Zika cases reported in Singapore, but was claimed as an imported and isolated case. No travel restriction was imposed between the two neighbouring nations as it situation back then was still under control and no sign of the disease spreading and not an epidemic.

However, managing the large outbreak on August 28 which was more intense and gave a different implication, the Ministry of Health in Singapore confirmed 41 cases of locally transmitted Zika virus infection in the republic, with the victim being a 47-year-old Malaysian woman living in southeastern Singapore as the city-state’s first case of a local transmission of the virus. Zika was spreading fast in Singapore, five days later, a Bernama report said 115 cases were confirmed of Zika virus infection.

Malaysia on the other hand, became a victim itself, when it first announced its first Zika infection case on September 1. According to the Bernama news report, the Malaysian Health Ministry said the victim, a woman from Klang was tested positive for the disease upon her return from Singapore a week before. Malaysia immediately became risk at high alert. The virus spread in late August alarmed the Singapore Ministry of Health did not rule out further community transmission in the country, as some of the Zika victims tested positive also live or work in other parts of Singapore (MOH, 2016).

The Malaysian Health Ministry at this level quickly took first preventive measures to conduct screenings at the main entrance into the country especially at the airports. Picking a Bernama news report on August 28, the Malaysian Health Ministry said, it would intensify monitoring at the two main entry points into Johor Bharu following the case of a Malaysian woman being infected by the Zika virus in Singapore. Quoting Health Director-General Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, the report said, precautionary measures to be taken included distributing pamphlets on the prevention of Zika infection and placing paramedics at the entry points to examine tourists showing signs of the disease.

Seven days later, on September 7, a report by Bernama said, the first case involving a pregnant woman was confirmed in Malaysia. According to Datuk Seri S Subramaniam who made a press announcement, the 27-year-old woman’s last visit to Singapore was six months ago, but her husband commuted daily to his workplace in Geylang. Zika infection among pregnant woman created massive attention from the public and the media, and at a point, religious department came up with new guidelines on the possibility of abortion if a pregnant woman is infected with the virus which may result the child born having Guillain-Barré syndrome and other complications.

Reference

CDC (2016). Zika Virus: Symptoms. Centre for Disease Control and Prevent. U.S. Department
of Health & Human Services. Retrieved on 18 Nov 2016 from
http://www.cdc.gov/zika/symptoms/symptoms.html

Davies, W. (2016). Zika virus: Risk higher than first thought, say doctors. BBC News, Rio de
Janeiro. Retrieved on 18 Nov 2016 from
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-36184799

Kindhauser, M.K; Allen,T.; Frank, V.; Santhana, R. & Dye, C. (2016). Zika: the origin and spread
of mosquito-borne virus. World Health Organization. Geneva, Switzerland. Retrieved on
18 Nov 2016 from http://www.who.int/bulletin/online_first/16-171082/en/

No Need To Panic, Zika Virus Infection In Singapore An Isolated Case- Dr S. Subramaniam.
(2016). Bernama.com, 20 May, retrieved on 20 Nov 2016 from
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v8/newsindex.php?id=1247853

Malaysia Reports First Zika Virus Case.(2016). Bernama.com, 1 Sept, retrieved on 18 Nov 2016
From http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v8/newsindex.php?id=1278573

Malaysia Reports First Zika Case Involving Pregnant Woman (2016). Bernama.com, 7 Sept,
retrieved on 18 Nov 2016 from
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v8/newsindex.php?id=1280654

Singapore Confirms 41 Cases Of Locally Transmitted Zika Virus Infection. 2016. Bernama.com,
28 Aug, retrieved on 20 Nov 2016 from
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v8/ge/newsgeneral.php?id=1277530
Teh, W. S. (2016). Zika Virus: How It Spreads And Why Malaysians Should Be Prepared.
Malaysian Zika virus, (2016). Digest.com, retrieved on 17 Nov 2016, from
http://malaysiandigest.com/news/594192-zika-virus-how-it-spreads-and-why-malaysians-should-be-prepared.html
The history of Zika Virus. (2016) World Health Organization (WHO). Retrieved on 18 Nov 2016
from http://www.who.int/emergencies/zika-virus/timeline/en/

Zika Virus. Diseases and Conditions, Ministry of Health Singapore, 2016. Retrieved on 15 Nov
2015 from
https://www.moh.gov.sg/content/moh_web/home/diseases_and_conditions/z/zika.html

Zika Case In Singapore: Monitoring Will Be Intensified At Johor Entry Points – Health DG. 2016.
Bernama.com, 20 Aug, retrieved on 20 Nov 2016 from
http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v8/ge/newsgeneral.php?id=1277533

ANTI-VACCINE MOVEMENT

Written by Natasha Sidek

According to Merriam-Webster, anti-vaccine is defined as an opposed to the use of vaccines where a handful parents and anti-vaccine activists told lawmakers on the House Health and Human Services Committee that they believe vaccines are responsible for countless cases of autism, learning disabilities and death.

The anti-vaccination movement is a loose organised conspiracy theorist subculture which blames the medical practice of vaccinations for a wide range of health problems.

The movement, to a large majority led by people with no medical or scientific qualifications, is based largely on alleged short and long term side effects of vaccination. Since the argument is made that vaccines are deadly poisons, the anti-vaccination movement fails to gain traction outside social media, then by necessity they argue that some kind of cover up must take place that the vaccines serve an agenda.

According to Free Malaysia Today, there are recent reports about new cases of diphtheria in Malaysia and it raised serious concerns about the anti-vaccine movement in Malaysia. It was reported that a two-year-old boy from Kedah and a seven-year-old girl from Malacca died from diphtheria. The number of children who came in close contact with the deceased has been suspected of the disease.

The two deaths related to diphtheria have alarmed the medical community in Malaysia as diphtheria is a disease caused by bacteria from an unhealthy environment and can be prevented through immunisation. Such cases seem to indicate the growing of anti-vaccine movement in Malaysia and it has become an issue of concern.

As stated in BBC News, the news coverage on anti-vaccine movement are more largely reported in international prospect and the point of perspective are also different compared to local news agency.

Some Malaysian parents have expressed their fears of side effects and links to autism. Andrew Wakefield, who is dubbed as the ‘Father of Anti-Vaccine Movement’, allegedly found links to autism to childhood vaccines but his study was retracted in 2010 after it was proven to be an “elaborate fraud”. However, even when many other studies have debunked these myths, some parents are still suspicious to vaccination and suspected that it may have caused autism.

According to BBC News, anti-science rhetoric has serious consequences for society. The rants on social media to the belief that vaccines cause autism, scientific ignorance takes on a variety of frustrating forms.

The people who choose not to vaccinate their children have a misguided belief that vaccines contain DNA from pigs, making the vaccines forbidden or haram for Muslim families. The rumours could have started as some vaccines on the global market are cultivated using the trypsin enzyme from pigs.

But even in these cases, scholars argue that the porcine elements are negligible that Islam allows it as it saves lives. According to Dr Musa Mohd Nordin, the consultant paediatrician and neonatologist said the oral polio vaccine was a big issue because it uses trypsin from porcine sources.

BBC News also reported on the religion sentiment that a Muslim in Asia and the East had seen “strong anti-vaccination propaganda”. The news reported that the rumours had been spread that a conspiracy to control or even harm the Muslim population was being initiated through administered vaccinations.

The anti-vaccine movement is giving diseases a second life as reported in local news. Even though Malaysia achieved low levels of vaccine-preventable diseases for diseases such as diphtheria and neonatal tetanus, these diseases have not been eradicated completely. Many of the viruses and bacteria are still circulating in this country and that is why it is important that children especially infants and young children receive the recommended immunisations on time.

The investigative reporting from The World Health Organisation (WHO), the Centres for Disease Control in the YS and the Ministry of Health of Malaysia have unequivocally stated that none of the vaccines given singularly or simultaneously causes autism.

Every propaganda from the anti-vaccine movement should be confirmed and study by all parent so they will not be manipulated by the movement. Evidence has shown that scientifically vaccine would not harm people either in autism or any other diseases. The issues on pig enzyme also being highlighted and should not be worried by the parents as it is clear from it.

BERSIH RALLY

Written by Mazida Desa

BERSIH RALLY

The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections or known as Gabungan Pilihanraya Bersih dan Adil or Bersih in Malay is a non-government organisations (NGOs) coalition which seeks to reform the current electoral system in Malaysia to ensure free, clean and fair elections. It was officially formed on 23rd November 2006 as a joint communiqué that comprised leaders from political parties, civil society groups and NGOs. Bersih has accused the Election Commission under Prime Minister’s Department for manipulating the electoral process for giving an unfair advantage to the ruling National Front coalition. Bersih claimed that the electoral roll was spoiled by irregularities such as gerrymandering, phantom voters, mal apportionment and fraud postal votes. On 10th November 2007, Bersih organised the first rally with 10,000 to 40,000 turnouts and held a public demonstration at Merdeka Square, Kuala Lumpur. Supporters of Bersih were urged to wear yellow T-shirts as a symbol of protest.

Background of the Media

Utusan Malaysia or literally translated from Malay to English as “The Malaysian Courier” is a Malay-language newspaper published in Malaysia. Distinctive for its blue masthead as its logo and trademark, Utusan Malaysia was first published in Jawi in 1939. Utusan Malaysia became an influential medium for the people to voice out their opinions towards the ruling of British Government in Malaya.

BBC News is an operational business division of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) that is responsible for the gathering and broadcasting of news and also current affairs. The department is the world’s largest broadcast news organization and generates about 120 hours of radio and television output each day, as well as online news coverage.

Propaganda

Utusan Online released a statement that Bersih movement is associated with a Christian group based outside of the country. According to the official statement, it is intended to reduce the post of Prime Minister due to injustice in governing the country. According to BBC News, the goal is to push Bersih electoral reform in Malaysia and the government claimed that the action was unfair. In addition, BBC News earned the story by saying there are jets of water cannons from the Net group. Utusan Online discussed the financial funds collected by Bersih that has reached millions of ringgit.

It is not logic if the analysts assumed that the money would be channelled and sponsored from the Christians. There is a revelation of the missing money and that is the cause that triggers chaos and riots. The source also pointed out that the biggest contributor to Bersih movement was affiliated with the Christian. In the meantime, the source also explained that the Net also received financial assistance from NGOs based in United States, Britain and several Asian countries whereas according to BBC News, there was an incident pursuing and using weapons among them.

In addition, the newspaper accused Bersih movement made a scapegoat by the Election Commission to legalise the illegal demonstration and had a net movement of the political mastermind. According to Awani, Bersih 4.0 or a classified banned rally in Malaysia also took place in several other cities around the world. According to Foreign Ministry, the respected bodies will collect information from Malaysians who are involved with illegal assembly Bersih 4.0 abroad. Legal actions can be taken against them later. The Ministry’s Deputy Minister, Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican said the monitoring was conducted by Wisma Putra and their identities will be submitted to the national authorities so that actions will be taken according to the law of the country

Chronology of the Bersih Rally

Starting on 10 November 2007 at 5.30pm, Bersih 2.0 committee failed to submit a memorandum to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong at Istana Negara. However, he described that the association achieve its goals and they also slammed the rest of the participants, including those from other groups. It ends at 7:30 am the next day, there were numbers of trucks of the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU), including those equipped with water cannons along Jalan Maharajalela and towards Masjid Negara and Masjid Jamek.

Evidence

The evidence of the Bersih is when the Prime Minister felt threatened by this movement and start to take action to this group. The purpose of this motion is to seek justice on behalf of the people and attempt to overthrow Prime Minister. Bersih rally has been initiated since 2007.

1MALAYSIA DEVELOPMENT BERHAD IN THE EYES OF THE WORLD AND MALAYSIAN CITIZENS

Written by AppleFadila

Politics has always been a course of which includes the bright side and the gloomy side. It is a battle of both to the politicians. Politics is also a concerned issue in the local scene. The issue of 1Malaysia Development Berhad scandal has been circulated and exposed since the year 2014. First of all, 1Malaysia Development Berhad is a strategic development company formerly known as Terengganu Investment Authority, wholly owned by the Government of Malaysia. 1MDB leads market-driven initiatives to assist the Government in propelling Malaysia towards becoming a developed nation that is highly competitive in nature (1MDB.com). Its aim is to drive economic growth through joint ventures that bring foreign direct investment into Malaysia. It lays its focus on fields of energy, real estate, tourism and agribusiness (Bloomberg.com).

In Malaysia, the mainstream press mainly consists of the published newspapers that can be seen on newspaper stands. For examples Utusan Malaysia, Harian Metro and Kosmo. The three ways of reporting are reporting that are being carried out in a positive light, negative reporting and neutral journalism.

The positive reporting consists of two ways which are; showing support by direct words in their reports or non-coverage. What is meant by non-coverage? It literally means, when an issue is sensational, or more revelations or exposure have been made by the other media outlets, but some media, which mainly is the mainstream media may choose to keep silent on the arising revelations. Non-coverage and nil-reporting also constitute positive way of reporting as they choose to not touch at all on the sensitive revelations in their reports.

It has to be made known that most mainstream media outlets own a higher responsibility towards the government. It is because, they answer directly to the government and they are strictly governed by the Malaysian laws such as Defamation Act, Sedition Act, Printing Presses Publication Act, the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission, and a few other related laws. They are bound to these rules and regulations.

For example, Utusan Malaysia’s article titled “1MDB jadi subjek serangan politik” clearly showed that Utusan is in favor of the government and connotes the government to be the “victim” in this scandal. Further in the article, it stated

“1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) telah menjadi bahan serangan bermotifkan politik dengan objektif untuk menjatuhkan ketua kerajaan yang dipilih secara demokrasi yang tidak pernah berlaku sebelum ini” (Utusan Online).

Translated as;

“1MDB has been the subject of attack with political motives with the sole objective to bring down the head of government that had been democratically chosen; something that has never happened before”.

Next, there is also a neutral way of reporting which is more truthful. The media does not take sides and reports it in a truthful light. The issues are not hidden, but enlightened in such way that is neutral and does not show support nor hatred. The example of media that exercises this way of reporting is Sinar Harian. The journalists tend to report the issue of 1MDB without giving their own thoughts or opinions that may be inclined toward any political parties.

Meanwhile, some media even have a negative coverage on the issue that might “polute” the thinking of the people. Some might even consider it as the hurtful truth, but it is up to the public’s acceptance to put their basis and beliefs on certain stories. For example, media tabloids such as Harakah and Suara Keadilan are clearly produced by the opposition parties, hence their style of reporting are direct, unfiltered, and sometimes extreme. They also show support towards the opposition parties and will report on any revelations and exaggerate them so as to get the most attention on the issues at hand. As a result, Harakah was sued by the Prime Minister, Dato Seri Najib Tun Razak for defamation based on an online article by the online portal of the tabloid. Harakah failed to meet the PM’s requirements for settlement and that their failure to do so caused the case to be brought to court for trials (NSTonline, Hidir Reduan).

Image credit: NST Online Image source

It has to be taken into account that the new media which is the internet plays a vital role in disseminations of information at current. As most of them are written and handled by citizen journalists with no proper journalism qualifications, most of their posts are biased and include extreme reporting.

For example, “The Sarawak Report” had been banned and blocked several times because of their abusive articles. They also face multiple civil suits against them and mostly are still on-trial. Quoted from The Guardian, Sarawak Report was blocked two weeks after the website first reported on how investigators probing the debt-laden 1MDB discovered that some US$700m allegedly made its way into Dato Seri Najib’s personal bank accounts. Dato Seri Najib, facing mounting calls to resign, has denied receiving money for his personal use. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, the country’s internet regulator, confirmed late on Sunday it had blocked Sarawak Report for reporting on what it called “unverified content” (The Guardian; Beh Lih Yi).

Because people demand to know more information about 1MDB conflict and only limited coverage can be found on mainstream media, hence it creates the urge to gain and demand more information to be released by the government. Especially opponent-biased newspapers urge the government to reveal more information or at least answer to most of the questions at rise. The government’s silent action may be caused by the fact that 1MDB scandal is a sensitive issue as it involves the goodname/ reputation of the country.

This is a totally different situation with the international media as they do not owe anything towards our government. They also exercise a free writing style and liberal in giving out their thoughts and opinions. As they are ungoverned by domestic laws, they freely report on our 1MDB issue and most shocking revelations also originated from these outside sources.

The United States, for example, is slanting left in their reporting style. This means they have become more liberal in their reporting. Conservatives have a point. Studies show mainstream media leans left, and that, as economists Tim Groseclose and Jeff Milyo have written, “an almost overwhelming fraction of journalists are liberal” (Fortune; Chris Mathhews).

On the other hand, Wall Street Journal (WSJ) is among of the loudest media outlets that revealed information on the 1MDB scandal. Among others are Al-Jazeera, The Sunday Times, The Times US, ibtimesUK, The Listening Post and The Edge.

At first, WSJ revealed that 700million USD was transferred into the PM’s personal account from unknown and shady sources. It further stated that the money may have come from the funding of 1MDB which is used in an ill-manner and that the PM misused his position as the head of government to attain “silent money”.

One of the articles by WSJ include one with the title “Malaysia Leader Under Pressure From U.S. Lawsuit Over 1MDB Assets” which stated the Prime Minister Najib Razak faced fresh calls to resign Thursday after the U.S. moved to seize more than $1 billion of assets allegedly siphoned from a development fund he founded (WSJ; Jack M.W).

1MDB issue was alleged to be closely-related to Malaysia’s international debts. However, the PM on June 11, 2016 (in Sarawak speech) said our debts are much lower than of the US’, Singapore’s and Japan’s. We are pretty much in a good financial state and Goods and Services Tax (GST) are going to be a great assistance to Malaysia’s economy.

The Dubai-owned news agency, Al-Jazeera, is also loud in their revelations on 1MDB issues. Al-Jazeera had also made documentaries on sensational issues such as the murder of Altantuya, the conspiracy of the disappearance of MH 370, and not to forget on the issue of 1MDB. Some might even question the eagerness of Al-Jazeera in reporting our 1MDB issue where they even went all-out to do their reporting. Some might think Al-Jazeera might have some hidden agenda by manipulating this issue. It is because their eagerness is extreme even though the issue does not concern on their countries’ welfare or of any importance to them. The same question rises upon WSJ and its reports. Some might question their eagerness to keep on looking for information to reveal from underground sources is extreme to a point that they may have the agenda to bring down the government of Malaysia and weaken Malaysia from within.(Al-Jazeera).

If that is the thought of international media, then what do local media have in mind? It can be clearly seen that tabloid such as Harakah and Suara Keadilan had been using this issue to their advantage, so as to continuously report and open more rooms for the public to view the government negatively. As the tabloid support the opposition parties, hence this will definitely benefit the opposition leaders and politicians.

The new media which is mostly written by citizen journalists shows a more extreme kind of reporting. They also intend to create doubts in the hearts of the citizens towards the government. The internet may exist as a platform to voice out opinions, but it is used and manipulated by certain groups of people to further spread hate towards the government. Websites such as Sarawak Report and Financial Daily were even banned in July 2015 because their contents were abusive towards the Government and violated the freedom of speech under Article 13 of Malaysian Federal Constitution. They also faced defamation sues for their actions.

Yes, it has to be taken into account some media may become “loud” in order to uphold the public’s rights and feed the public of what they want. But, as we live in a country that has strict laws, they should exercise journalism Code of Ethics so as to prevent any legal suits that will just cause financial loss to them, on top of a deteriorated reputation.

There is also the most recent court case regarding the 1MDB issue. The Sessions Court in Kuala Lumpur had sentenced the Parliament representative of Pandan, Rafizi Ramli with 18 months of imprisonment for the offence of revealing one page of the audit report on the 1Malaysia Development Berhad. The judge, Zulkarnain Hassan concluded the case, but it can be appealed at the Court of Appeal [PP vs Rafizi Ramli]. However, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR)’s top leadership said the party is confident that lawyers representing its vice president Rafizi Ramli will proceed with an appeal against his sentencing at the Sessions Court (NST Online: Awaina Arbee).

Image credit: NST Online Image source

In a nutshell, the 1MDB issue has attained global attention, as well as getting mixed perceptions from the local citizens. The issue has become big because 1MDB concerns on people’s money, and the controversies surrounding it from Tabung Haji savings, and buying of lands above market price, and selling them back below buying price is viewed as so worrisome by the people.

However, some media especially the western media have exaggerated the issue with more and more revealing information, sometimes obtained from invalid sources. When the issue is all on the surface; that is when it obtains more and more critiques. Legal suits by the western countries such as the civil suit by the US on our PM had also caused the issue to be more sensational. Thus, as citizens, we should limit our involvements in such controversial reporting, and do not trust 100% on each and every article we come across, especially online.

References

1MDB.com. About Us: 1MDB. n.d. 10 November 2016 <http://www.1mdb.com.my/>.

Al-Jazeera. Calls for Malaysia PM’s resignation over 1MDB scandal. 22 July 2016. 11 November 2016 <http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/07/calls-malaysia-pm-resignation-1mdb-scandal-160721073904223.html>.

Bloomberg.com. Company Overview of 1Malaysia Development Berhad. n.d. 10 November 2016 <http://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=140313786>.

CNBC News; Saheli R.C. Timeline: The twists and turns in the tale of 1MDB. 21 September 2015. 10 November 2016 <http://www.cnbc.com/2015/09/21/malaysia-fund-1mdb-pm-najib-plagued-by-fraud-allegations.html>.

Fortune; Chris Mathhews. Conservatives Are Right: The Media Is Very Liberal. 2 November 2015. 11 November 2016 <http://fortune.com/2015/11/02/liberal-media/>.

NST Online: Awaina Arbee. Lawyers will appeal court decision on Rafizi, says PKR deputy president. 14 November 2016. 15 November 2016 <http://www.newsjs.com/url.php?p=http://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/11/188531/lawyers-will-appeal-court-decision-rafizi-says-pkr-deputy-president>.

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HONDA & TAKATA AIRBAG

Written by Fatin Amalina

The exclusive brand Honda currently stands as one of the top global automakers which not only provides a standout performance and comfortability, hence also costs a lot cheaper amongst its competitors. In Malaysia by far, 100,000 of cars are produced per year since 2015 as the sales have been steadily rising. However, only recently the world has been shocked by ‘airbag ruptured’ news which makes people wonder will it affect the very respectable name of Honda.

Hence, for a few years already, Honda had recalled thousands of mobile vehicles regarding on several accidents reported that had been linked with Takata airbag. However, the year 2016 doesn’t seem to be a decent year to Honda Malaysia as it involved several tragic issues. As much as it involved the lives of the loved ones, these types of accidents may defect the sales of Honda as well.

Image credit: asiaone.com Image source

As supposed, the function of designed airbags to vehicle is mainly to inflate extremely rapidly then quickly deflate at times when crash or impact with a surface or a quick sudden deceleration and today, the problem was, many begin to worry as airbags do not work as how they should. In fact, people’s lives are at risk. Airbag is prompted by great velocity and open up at more than 200 miles per hour which are much faster than a car crash, hence due to its strong pressure could cause bodily harm. It was reported on Autos.com, children who are riding in rear-facing car seats are at the highest risk for harm from supplemental restraint system (SRS) systems.

The tense force of airbag has the ability either to break the car seat or shove on it with a great force that can lead to harm or death. Since children are regularly placed in a position of forward-facing car seats are at risk from airbag injury too, since these types of seats are a lot farther forward in the seat than an adult would normally sit. In reality, any child age below 10 should never sit in a seat equipped with an SRS system as the potential for injury is merely too high (Autos.com, 2013).

The table shows a chronology of car accident in 2016 which the drivers died because of the Takata airbag ruptured.

Since this issue involves two big brands name; Honda and Takata Corporation, the news obtained a massive coverage by local and international media. Here are a few variances that were found between these two local media Astro Awani and Reuters.

Propaganda: Does Reuters only cover on what would bring benefit to them?

We can never argue the fact that a good headline is the difference between encouraging someone to read the story and skipping over it to read something else. Hence, the entire point of a headline is initially to inform readers what the story is about and encourages them to find out more by reading the story. However, some reporters or editors have missed the entire point of headlines to what shall benefit them in return.

The table shows how Reuters only interested more on sensational stories although there are many other actual options. It seems like Reuters strives to pick issues that can provide a massive over-hyped reaction by audiences.

In the table, Astro Awani on the other hand, it was reporting stories that mattered more than just sensationalism. Based on the three headlines, Astro Awani was taking their opportunity as an informer to acknowledge and spread the right information through a right manner.

Practicality

Many has misquoted that ‘sensationalism’ is the most important criteria that could sell their news however, what they have forgotten is the fact that informative news attract audience too. Although this may sound very cliché but mass media should minimize the damage by correcting mistakes quickly and completely. Hence every corrections of significant mistakes should be published without delay in a visible place.

In an article titled “Honda Malaysia compensates customers for Takata airbag recall” by Astro Awani; it had provided a very helpful yet informative information of hubs location of Honda in Malaysia.

Image credit: astroawani Image source

Apart from that, Astro Awani also attached videos in their news which could be more than just sharing practicalities as some audience are more attracted to visuals. Apart from that, it shall bring an effective technique of disseminating news from Astro Awani to the people because people are easily attracted to visual and sound; remember last time when TV was the “in” thing?

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Video credit: Astro Awani Video source

In conclusion, what can be concluded by the news coverage made by Astro Awani, it really proves that Malaysian media is not that bad at all despite the fact that this country is still to be considered as a developing country to be compared to the coverage made by other international news agency; Reuters from England which has been established for more than 100 years. In fact, every inspection that has been carried out throughout this investigation and observation has made it clear that sometimes we as the locals would really look up on the westerners. Everything that is given by them, we always believe that it is so much better than what we already have to offer.

Reuters in other sense had used the element of sensationalism in covering the issue; however, it is essential to remember that sensationalism in the media is not always a bad thing. There are times where a story may be important to the general public but the topic is otherwise boring. Hence, to make it more exciting, the press may choose induce sensationalism in the presentation of the information that is important to the public but through the righteous procedure

Bibliography

Autos.com. (2013, October 7). The Dangers of Car Airbags. Retrieved from http://www.autos.com/: http://www.autos.com/driving-and-safety/the-dangers-of-car-airbags