<Notes> Malaysia's National Language Mass Media : History and Present Status

Abstract

Historically, the Malay press has been identified with fostering various causes of the Malays and of the Islamic faith. It has been a fighting press. Today's mass media in Malaysia have assumed new roles : they no longer fight causes, oppose government policies or think critically; instead, they act as supporters-and even, apologists-for the officials. Malay language media are expected to be at the forefront of the campaigns to propagate governmental programs because the authorities are themselves Malay. Thus, through restrictive legislation, self censorship and ownership patterns, the Malay mass media have been made into nothing more than extensions of government.