SUBJECT: Media, Politics and The Citizen Question (Total 100 marks) Read the following articles for background information: • http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/malaysia-stands-by-decision-block-access-malaysian- insider-1547437 • http://news.asiaone.com/news/malaysia/unfair-block-malaysian-insider-say-groups A) (50 marks) There are two fundamentally different explanations for the Malaysian Government blocking the Malaysian Insider. According to them, this was done with the "responsibility to maintain peace, stability and harmony in the country and to safeguard the multiracial and multicultural values, norms, and practices in Malaysia". However, according to critics, this was done to silence opposition to Prime Minister Najib Razak. Using your course readings, the articles provided, and your own research into the Malaysian Insider case study: 1. Explain both of these arguments and appraise them according to their validity. Be sure to apply concepts and theories from the course materials to help you explain the two differing perspectives. B) (50 marks) The Malaysian case demonstrates that although the Internet and social media have significantly expanded the political space, it has not prevented governments around the globe from attempting to, and sometimes succeeding in, controlling this space. Drawing on course materials: 1. Analyze and explain this tension between government control over the media and the proliferation of virtual politics. 2. How have the Internet and social media been able to transform political space? 3. At the same time, why have governments around the globe maintained the ability to exert influence over this space despite the growth in the Internet and social media? 4. Research and present a case study of another country apart from Malaysia to illustrate your answer. Students' Notes Indicate the number of words at the end of the essay. There is a five-mark deduction for essays exceeding the word limit of 3000 words. The distribution of marks is only an indication of the relative weighting of the different parts of the ECA. Your essay will be graded as a whole out of 100 marks. You will be assessed on your ability to demonstrate your understanding and application of relevant themes and concepts introduced throughout this course, as well as your ability to research and present case studies that help explain your position. As a potential starting point, when approaching Part (a), bear in mind the discussions regarding the different reasons and rationales for media control. When approaching Part (b), keep in mind the discussions regarding the possibilities and challenges as well as the pros and cons of the Internet and social media. *Note to Expert: - I have started a few paragraphs on this assignment for part (A) & (B) but did not have the time to paraphrase them. Please help to paraphrase them. - Do continue writing the remaining parts of this essay. - The word limit for this assignment is 3000. There is a five-mark deduction for essays exceeding the word limit of 3000 words. So please do not exceed. - When approaching Part (a), bear in mind the discussions regarding the different reasons and rationales for media control. - When approaching Part (b), keep in mind the discussions regarding the possibilities and challenges as well as the pros and cons of the Internet and social media. - I have provided you some very helpful questions below under 'IMPORTANT POINTERS' for you to apply concepts and theories from the course materials to help you. It is very important for you to apply the key concepts and keywords under 'IMPORTANT POINTERS' as you will be assessed on your ability to demonstrate your understanding and application of relevant themes and concepts introduced throughout this course, as well as your ability to research and present case studies that help explain your position. Please highlight in color in the solution the section that: 1. Explain both of these arguments and appraise them according to their validity. Be sure to apply concepts and theories from the course materials to help you explain the two differing perspectives. (Highlight in ORANGE) 2. Analyze and explain this tension between government control over the media and the proliferation of virtual politics. (Highlight in BLUE) 3. How have the Internet and social media been able to transform political space? (Highlight in YELLOW) 4. At the same time, why have governments around the globe maintained the ability to exert influence over this space despite the growth in the Internet and social media? (Highlight in GREEN) 5. Research and present a case study of another country apart from Malaysia to illustrate your answer. (Highlight in PURPLE) Question (A) Malaysia's government drew widespread criticism after blocking access to a popular news portal for publishing ongoing reports critical of Prime Minister Najib Razak and his government. Independent news site – The Malaysian Insider, who has been accused by the government of publishing untrue content, announced its closure after eight years of operation unfortunately, putting a spotlight to press freedom in Malaysia. This sparks questions and calls for a worrying trend of a decline in standards of freedom of expression in Malaysia. The local mainstream press is known to be tightly controlled or owned by parties in the ruling coalition, Barisan Nasional (BN). The government feels that media freedom should be restricted. The clamping down on online dissent was read as part of a bid by the Malaysian government to fend off accusations of corruption, as suggested by the Human Rights Watch report. This has raised the issues of political freedom and abuse of power committed by the ruling BN. Freedom of press has brought about major effects on the BN's position in the state. Perhaps among the reasons why new media appear credible are the perceptions that the conventional mainstream media in Malaysia are government controlled, coupled with the fact that the opposition found an avenue in the new media to air their grievances and reach their supporters. Question (B) Unlike the print and broadcasting media, the Internet has allowed more space for people to engage with the state in the public sphere. Internet-based media function increasingly not just for communication, but also as an extension of the public sphere, with the potential to redistribute power among a wider range of entrants and to decentralize debate. Such capacities beg the question of how the current generation of new media will change the landscape of social mobilization and politics. IMPORTANT POINTERS – Please highlight your answers in RED when you apply these concepts and key points in the solution. Always apply the concepts back to the case study. • Explain on the concept of the public sphere. • Explain the rise of the mass media, in relation to the concepts of public sphere and modernity. • Discuss the role of media in society. • Explain the concept of "print capitalism". • Explain the concept of agent of socialisation. • Evaluate the media's role as an agent of socialisation. • Evaluate the media's role in nationalism. • Identify the various forms of power the media possess. • Describe the impact and consequences of the various forms of power the media possess. • Describe the relationship between media ownership, power and control. • Evaluate the relationship between media ownership, power and control. • Explain what constitutes news. • Explain the information biases in news content. • Explain the concept of framing. • Expand on the relationship between framing and public opinion. • Describe Herman and Chomsky's Propaganda Model. • Use the Propaganda Model in relation to today's media. • Expand on the various criticisms of the Propaganda Model. • Apply the propaganda model in their analysis of political news. • Explain what constitutes as public opinion. • Assess the relationship between the media, politicians and the people. • Use examples to illustrate how the media shape public opinion. • Describe the state's ability to control the media. • Explain why the state wants to control the media. • Expand on the reasons for censorship, propaganda and secrecy in relation to the media. • Identify issues related to government regulation, and discuss the pros and cons of government regulation. • Explain the concepts of corporate conglomeration, and vertical and horizontal integration. • Describe the current trends in media industry economics such as the concentration of ownership. • Explain the consequences of such trends. • Evaluate the consequences of such trends. • Define news objectivity. • Evaluate the role of journalists and reporters in the media industry. • Describe the professional norms and practices of journalism. • Explain the impact of these norms and practices on public opinion and society. • Define civic/public journalism. • Explain the what is public journalism? • Explain the downsides of big media. • Identify the media use for civic/public journalism. • Explain the advantages of civic/public journalism. • Explain development journalism. • Compare advantages and disadvantages of development journalism. • Explain the rise of development journalism in the Third World. • Explain the roles of media in development journalism in the Third World. • Evaluate the roles and responsibilities of the media in development journalism. • Define the concept of media as watchdog and lapdog. • Explain how media acts as a watchdog. • Explain how media acts as a lapdog. • Evaluate the different views on the media as watchdog and lapdog within the context of the political systems. • Explain democratisation. • Evaluate how media is used to foster democratic change. • Explain how media is used to maintain social and political stability. • Analyse the relationship between media and politics in Asia. • Explain how governments use media for their democratisation aims. • Explain how citizens use media for democratisation aims. • Explain how governments use the media in times of crisis. • Explain how citizens use the media in times of crisis. • Analyze how the media is used in Indonesia during the times of crisis. • Explain how governments use the media in times of stability. • Explain how citizens use the media in times of stability. • Analyze how the media is used in Singapore to develop and reinforce stability. • Explain on the role of social media. • Define citizenship. • Explain why different demographics and cultures use social media differently. • Explain the relationship between social media and citizenship. • Describe how social media enhances social interaction via user-generated content. • Describe how social media enhances political awareness and citizenship. • Explain the importance of social media as a platform for acquiring politically relevant information. • Describe how politicians use social media to achieve their political agenda. • Describe how citizens use social media as interaction tool on political issues. • Analyze the impact of social media on citizenship participation in politics.