Week 5_Task 1_News & I II

Write a short essay of about 400 words about the below stated issue: news and you, again. Who owns the newspapers and TV stations in your country? Do you think this has an effect on the news that you hear?

Malaysia have 6 main free TV channels, which are TV1, TV2, TV3, NTV7, 8TV and Channel 9. Somehow, TV1 and TV2 are owned by government. Both channels is outdated and old style. Effort is made to change the image of both station but unfortunately failed. So, both channels have less audience. While NTV7, TV3, 8TV and Channel 9 are under same corporation. All of them is more updated and have a bigger audience group.

Censorship is applied to control media content to avoid unnecessary disturbance to the “national” security. The regulated freedom of the press has been criticized. Although critics concede that journalists "probably won’t be hauled off and shot" for being critical of the government, it has been claimed that the government creates a chilling effect through threats of reduced employment opportunities and refusing journalists' family members "a place at one of the better public universities". Legislation such as the Printing Presses and Publications Act have also been cited as curtailing freedom of expression.

Technology has made the media the most important immediate influence on opinions and understanding in the industrialized world and has significantly heightened media impact in the developing countries as well. Media has a powerful capacity to encourage global awareness thereby promoting cross-cultural understanding, tolerance and acceptance of ethnic, cultural, religious and gender differences in communities across the globe. Unfortunately, the media’s potential to be a force for good can easily backfire. By disseminating messages that create and reinforce negative stereotypes and perpetuate misconceptions, the media frustrates dialogue and works against mutual understanding.