Functions of Print Media in Malaysia

Functions of print media in Malaysia (newspapers)

Introduction

Newspapers have played an integral part in the daily lives of most Malaysians. As one of the earliest British settlements in Malaysia it is no surprise that the first newspaper was published in Penang According to historian Geoff Wade, the Prince of Wales Island Government Gazette published its first issue in Penang in 1806 and ceased publications in the early 1830s. By providing a medium for the exchange of ideas and social discussion, print media have helped shaped society and play an integral role in society. This paper will discuss the functions played by newspapers in Malaysia for individuals and for society.

Content

Firstly, Newspapers in Malaysia interpret complex information and make it easily understood by the public. It allows the public to understand the situation behind certain topics and form an opinion of their own. However this role is easily abused by misinterpreting the data or by withholding information. For example, the Penang undersea tunnel will begin construction in 2016. Buletin Mutiara (A Penang state government newspaper) harped on the benefits it will bring to the Seberang Prai Utara province but failed to mention the environmental effects of the tunnel construction and the underutilised Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge. By doing so, the newspaper has managed to sway public opinion towards supporting the undersea tunnel project.

Newspapers also function as a surveillance tool. A newspaper helps in building a public opinion about various international and national issues by informing the public. This dissemination of information can motivate society to take action or force the government to do so. The recent Rohyinga crisis is an example that could be used. It was highlighted by the print media and managed to draw enough public attention to the issue that the government decided to take in the immigrants and help them by providing shelter and food. Besides that, the government has stepped up border security after finding out about the mass graves uncovered on the Thai-Malaysian border. Newspapers have also brought about social changes. after baby dumping was highlighted in several prominent newspapers, public interest was piqued and among other efforts, baby hatches were set up by OrphanCare. While it doesn’t solve the problem entirely it helped bring it the 5 minutes of fame that it needed for society to take notice and take action.

Thirdly, newspapers in Malaysia serve as an entertainment tool. Comics, human interest stories, crosswords and number games (Sudoku, SlitherLink) continue to stir interest in readers and some people buy newspapers just for the purpose of catching up with featured sport stories. However these entertainment pieces could draw attention from the “real news” in the newspaper. The reader may be able to know what Mel Gibson had for lunch yesterday but still remain completely ignorant on government policies being implemented within the next month.

Socialization is the process in which an individual learns how to behave in life and participate in a group in society. In Malaysia, newspapers carry out this function by informing the readers on societal norms. The news articles tell the reader what is acceptable and what is not by providing a negative or positive view on the ongoing events. For example, good deeds are often described as heroic and the individual who carried out the act often receives a reward. On the other hand, criminal acts are described as heinous and the effects of the act on the individual involved are shown in the news.  This informs society that good deeds are rewarded and that all bad deeds are punished. Through the newspapers, an individual learns what one should and should not do.

The final use of newspapers would be linkage. Newspapers help link companies to the consumers through advertisements and press releases. Through advertisements placed strategically throughout the newspaper individuals are able to know about the choices they have when purchasing products and services. This fosters competition among similar products and indirectly contributes to the improvement of said products. In addition to that, advertising helps drive the economy as a large amount of money is spent by companies in producing the advertisement. Newspapers also help link societies together. Through the use of newspaper sections such as the Star’s “Metro” pull-out, community members are able to know about the events happening in the vicinity and are able to join in. This function is noticeable every year during marathons such as the annual “Star Walk” and the Ride for Sight campaign held in Malaysia. During these events, Malaysians from all over the country come over and unite for a cause.

Conclusion

 In Malaysia print media has a wide influence and plays many roles with its main role being to inform the public on global and local events. Although new media is gaining momentum and seems to be the successor of print media in information dissemination, newspapers are an integral part of society and will remain a force to be reckoned with in the years to come.

New media allows you access to an infinite amount of information but you need to know what you are looking for/ interested in. Newspapers eliminate that by providing the reader with whatever seems relevant to the publishing staff at the time. Another reason would be that newspapers are easily accessible to the public. Anyone can buy a newspaper but not everyone can afford a device capable of accessing new media.  Besides that, information in a newspaper is usually reliable as they have had the time to review and confirm the information they publish. Information provided by new media is usually rushed and they cannot confirm everything they report. So at times, there may be inconsistencies and errors. However newspapers should make efforts to increase their interactivity with the public by incorporating digital elements in the newspaper.