Negotiating Media ‘Balance’ in Malaysia's 2013 General Election

This article will discuss recent trends in Malaysia's media surrounding the 2013 general election (GE13). It will argue that the GE13 produced two important trends in the media industry. First, there was increased political-party participation in social media, citizen journalism and blogging. I...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Ross Tapsell
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2013-08-01
Series:Journal of Current Southeast Asian Affairs
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/186810341303200203
Description
Summary:This article will discuss recent trends in Malaysia's media surrounding the 2013 general election (GE13). It will argue that the GE13 produced two important trends in the media industry. First, there was increased political-party participation in social media, citizen journalism and blogging. In fact, it practically led to a ‘cyberwar’ between political parties, making the realm of the online and social media increasingly polarised and partisan. Second, many mainstream media outlets in Malaysia successfully pursued a platform of more ‘balanced’ coverage, suggesting an increased space of negotiation and contestation amongst the previously muzzled print, television and radio industry. This article will conclude with an assessment of the future trends in the media industry in Malaysia post GE13.
ISSN:1868-1034
1868-4882