ICT, the New Media (Internet) and Development: Malaysian Experience
ICT, the New Media (Internet) and Development:
Malaysian Experience
Ali Salman
ABSTRACT
The mass media in Malaysia has been encouraged to work with the government in mobilizing the
people towards achieving national development objectives. Apart from the role that has been
played by the traditional media, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is now the
focus to lead Malaysia in the new era of globalization and knowledge and consequently
development. Development policies are crucial in guiding and laying the foundation on which the
new media (Internet) can operate to bring about or accelerate development.
Keywords: the new media (Internet) and development, ICT policy, benefits of the new media.
Introduction
In Malaysia the role of the traditional media in development has been very prominent. For
example, after the establishment of National News Agency (BERNAMA) in 1968, it became the
bridge between the government and the Press, and in process got a clearer understanding of the
government (Safar, 1998, p. 58). Apart from the Press, the government in Malaysia uses the
electronic media, TV in particular, to bring about national development by championing the
national aspirations (Samsudin, 1998, p. 82).
The Internet or the new media is the world's largest interconnected environment. It is the
most recent communication tool of the world where a user can transcend borders and have access
to the encyclopedias, newspapers, bulletin boards, video arcades, hypermalls, broadcast stations,
the movies, grapevine, travel agency, and mail order - all at one stop, in a global village (Rahmah
Hashim, 2001, p. 72). With the advent of the New Media (Internet), the government is faced with
the challenge of how it can be used to enhance national development. The new media allows
interactivity coupled with the fact that it is difficult to be controlled and monitored as compared
to the traditional or conventional mass media. The new media and ICT in general are seen as a
means to speed up and accelerate development if applied properly.
The Malaysian Government has realized this potential of the new media and ICT and is
thus doing everything possible to maximize the use and reap the benefits. Government policy is
very important to help utilize the ICT innovation to bring about development. Because of the
Internet, it is easy to order any merchandise from the other side of the planet. However, the new
media is seen with suspicion and distrust by some of the adopters. The Internet in particular has
been blamed by some sectors of the society for promoting immorality. It must be noted that
despite what people see as shortcomings of the new media, there are still benefits that can be
derived from it. The Internet is seen as the most dynamic mass media in this century. Its
interactive nature has attracted people from all walks of life. Unlike its predecessors like the TV
and radio, the Internet is also a storehouse of knowledge providing access to huge pile of
information.
Malaysian Experience
Ali Salman
ABSTRACT
The mass media in Malaysia has been encouraged to work with the government in mobilizing the
people towards achieving national development objectives. Apart from the role that has been
played by the traditional media, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is now the
focus to lead Malaysia in the new era of globalization and knowledge and consequently
development. Development policies are crucial in guiding and laying the foundation on which the
new media (Internet) can operate to bring about or accelerate development.
Keywords: the new media (Internet) and development, ICT policy, benefits of the new media.
Introduction
In Malaysia the role of the traditional media in development has been very prominent. For
example, after the establishment of National News Agency (BERNAMA) in 1968, it became the
bridge between the government and the Press, and in process got a clearer understanding of the
government (Safar, 1998, p. 58). Apart from the Press, the government in Malaysia uses the
electronic media, TV in particular, to bring about national development by championing the
national aspirations (Samsudin, 1998, p. 82).
The Internet or the new media is the world's largest interconnected environment. It is the
most recent communication tool of the world where a user can transcend borders and have access
to the encyclopedias, newspapers, bulletin boards, video arcades, hypermalls, broadcast stations,
the movies, grapevine, travel agency, and mail order - all at one stop, in a global village (Rahmah
Hashim, 2001, p. 72). With the advent of the New Media (Internet), the government is faced with
the challenge of how it can be used to enhance national development. The new media allows
interactivity coupled with the fact that it is difficult to be controlled and monitored as compared
to the traditional or conventional mass media. The new media and ICT in general are seen as a
means to speed up and accelerate development if applied properly.
The Malaysian Government has realized this potential of the new media and ICT and is
thus doing everything possible to maximize the use and reap the benefits. Government policy is
very important to help utilize the ICT innovation to bring about development. Because of the
Internet, it is easy to order any merchandise from the other side of the planet. However, the new
media is seen with suspicion and distrust by some of the adopters. The Internet in particular has
been blamed by some sectors of the society for promoting immorality. It must be noted that
despite what people see as shortcomings of the new media, there are still benefits that can be
derived from it. The Internet is seen as the most dynamic mass media in this century. Its
interactive nature has attracted people from all walks of life. Unlike its predecessors like the TV
and radio, the Internet is also a storehouse of knowledge providing access to huge pile of
information.
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