New forms of media publishing

Walsh (2006) states that a textual shift is happening in society today from monomodal to multimodal texts which comprises several modes of communications such as audio, video and graphics. New forms of media publishing such as YouTube and blogs are emerging. We will discuss in-depth how new forms of media publishing influences the society in Malaysia.

Written texts are no longer dominant. (Walsh, 2006)

Malaysia was shocked by the posting of a video on YouTube named 'Negarakuku' by Namewee a.k.a Wang Meng Chee in 2007.


Video : Negarakuku with Malay subtitles
Source : YouTube


The controversial video touches on his feelings about Malaysian society criticizing Malaysian police, the Malay race, and offended the national song of Malaysia by naming his video 'Negarakuku'.

This is a video clip on different views and opinions on political leaders and Malaysian residents on the actions that should be taken on Namewee.


Video : Negarakuku, Please forgive Namewee!
Source : Youtube

Malaysia government had even issue warrants of arrest for Namewee and the Immigration of Malaysia has even proposed to revoke his passport.

"Not only would the government provoke national outrage amongst Malaysians and those seeking space for freedom of Malaysians, the Malaysian government would also be subjected to international opprobrium for taking such harsh action against an ordinary university student who is not affiliated with any political party" - Lim Guan Eng, 2007

The original video clip of Negarakuku has been taken down and replaced with another one which aims to cultivate Malaysian unity.
YouTube is a form of new media publishing which sets a portal for everyone to post their videos and thoughts freely on the web. However, it also brings controversial issues such as freedom of speech and censorship.

According to Helft from the New York Times (2009), YouTube has been banned in China because of a video clip uploaded by Tibetan government showing the beating of Tibetans by Chinese police.



References

1. Helft, M. 2009, YouTube being blocked in China, Google says, viewed 15th June 2009, < http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/25/technology/internet/25youtube.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss>
2. Walsh, M 2006, "Textual shift : Examining the reading process with print, visual and multimodal texts", Australian Journal of Language and Literacy, vol. 29, no. 1, pp. 24 - 37.
3. Lim, GE 2007, Warns the government of the unhealthy consequences both nationally and internationally should the government follow Immigration Department’s suggestion to revoke Wee Meng Chee’s passport, viewed 15th June 2009, <
4. YouTube, 2007, Negarakuku, viewed 15th June 2009, < v="M-z2X0PeUWY">
   
5. YouTube, 2007, Negarakuku - please forgive Namewee, viewed 15th June 2009, < v="ax1Rosf6UH8&feature=">