Neutral Media ?

             Government had introduced Menu Rakyat Satu Malaysia (MR1M) to nationwide since July 2011. However, Seberang Prai Municipal Council (MPSP) and the north Seberang Prai Health Department had found out 3 restaurants listed for MR1M program in Penang does not meet the standard of cleanliness on 1 November 2011. We had chosen news report from The Star Online and China press newspaper to do a comparison.

            Obviously, ownership of media influenced their angle on reporting the news. From China Press, besides reporting the action taken by the authority, reporter intentionally mentioned it is MR1M listed restaurant. Besides that, the reporter quoted from MPSP Councilor Soon Lip Chee, which the authority does not purposely create trouble to Barisan Nasional. Meanwhile, The Star Online report from the angle of its unhygienic condition, without mentioned a word of MR1M.

           Through the differences can be seen clearly but still the basic information such as date, location, fines, reason, number of days to be shut down are the same and interviewee. Ironically, news that been published out were different from each press even though the interviewee is the same. It proved that that news sources can be the same but what published out may not been- also known as “Framing”.

            On balance, each media should have put themselves in neutral while they edit and reporting the news due to media is often the primary source of news to the nation. The people especially eldest are tends to believe in whichever had broadcast in media. However, the news sources are usually needed to be question. The ownership of media will give the certain amount of influence in news edit. Moreover, the share of same source will affect the accuracy, fairness and accountability of the news. Consequently, the readers need to rely on their own savvy to select trustworthy news. 

Reference :

Derrick, V. (2011, November 2). Difficult to Stomach. Retrieved November 8, 2011, from                                                       

            http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2011/11/2/north/9817564&sec=north

参与一个大马人民餐单计划 参观不卫生关闭14天. (2011, November 1).  Retrieved 

           November 8, 2011, from http://www.chinapress.com.my/node/264696

Reported by :

Phua Eng Yee       0900020
Lee Hong Hui      0900233
Fong Mei Ling     0902004
Tan Yi Gee           0901227
Low Choon Lin    0908019